DFWIX vs. DFAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX).

DFWIX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 9, 2013. DFAX is a passively managed fund by Dimensional that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. It was launched on Mar 6, 2008.

Performance

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFWIX DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio	0.08%	33.45%	4.34%	16.74%	-14.04%	6.52%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	3.97%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFWIX achieves a 0.08% return, which is significantly lower than DFAX's 3.97% return.

DFWIX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: -10.77%
• YTD: 0.08%
• 6M: 4.76%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 15.13%
• 5Y*: 10.04%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

DFAX

• 1D: 3.06%
• 1M: -8.01%
• YTD: 3.97%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 33.25%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFWIX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

DFWIX

DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio

DFAX

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF

Return for Risk

DFWIX vs. DFAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFWIX

DFWIX Risk / Return Rank: 86
DFWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DFWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DFWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
DFWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DFWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DFWIX	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	1.98	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.62	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.41	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	2.84	-0.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.26	11.22	-2.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFWIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFWIX and DFAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFWIX	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	1.98	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.52	-0.03

Correlation

The correlation between DFWIX and DFAX is 0.98, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

DFWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, more than DFAX's 2.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFWIX DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio	3.21%	3.00%	3.32%	3.36%	3.11%	10.71%	1.81%	2.36%	3.50%	2.36%	2.59%	2.31%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.46%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFWIX drawdown since its inception was -41.80%, which is greater than DFAX's maximum drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFWIX and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFWIX	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.80%	-28.15%	-13.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.82%	-11.31%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.31%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.80%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.82%	-8.28%	-2.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.23%	-6.86%	-1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	2.87%	0.00%

Volatility

DFWIX vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) is 6.21%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 8.05%. This indicates that DFWIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFWIX	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.21%	8.05%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	11.27%	-1.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.65%	16.86%	-2.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.94%	15.86%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.55%	15.86%	-0.31%