DFXIX vs. MBOAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFXIX (DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio) and MBOAX (Madison Core Bond Fund) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, DFXIX returned 1.34%/yr vs -0.01%/yr for MBOAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFXIX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for MBOAX.

Performance

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) and Madison Core Bond Fund (MBOAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFXIX achieves a 0.83% return, which is significantly higher than MBOAX's 0.01% return.

DFXIX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 0.84%
• 1Y: 4.55%
• 3Y*: 4.13%
• 5Y*: 1.34%
• 10Y*: —

MBOAX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.13%
• 1Y: 5.02%
• 3Y*: 3.88%
• 5Y*: -0.01%
• 10Y*: 1.60%

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

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFXIX DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio	0.83%	5.85%	3.05%	4.93%	-7.88%	-0.56%	5.90%	269.83%	1.07%	0.87%
MBOAX Madison Core Bond Fund	0.01%	6.96%	1.14%	5.63%	-12.82%	-1.85%	9.22%	8.31%	-0.98%	2.92%

Correlation

The correlation between DFXIX and MBOAX is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.87

The correlation between DFXIX and MBOAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFXIX vs. MBOAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFXIX

DFXIX Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
DFXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
DFXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DFXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DFXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

MBOAX

MBOAX Risk / Return Rank: 19
MBOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
MBOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
MBOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MBOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
MBOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) and Madison Core Bond Fund (MBOAX). 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.

	DFXIX	MBOAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	1.26	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	1.87	+0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.23	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	1.65	+1.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.30	5.12	+3.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFXIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is higher than the MBOAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFXIX and MBOAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFXIX	MBOAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	1.26	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	-0.00	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.74	-0.17

Drawdowns

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFXIX drawdown since its inception was -10.51%, smaller than the maximum MBOAX drawdown of -17.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFXIX and MBOAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFXIX	MBOAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-17.78%	+7.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.69%	-2.93%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.00%	-6.10%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.51%	-17.55%	+7.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-17.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.76%	-2.21%	+1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-2.36%	+0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	0.95%	-0.40%

Volatility

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) is 0.84%, while Madison Core Bond Fund (MBOAX) has a volatility of 1.45%. This indicates that DFXIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MBOAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFXIX	MBOAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.84%	1.45%	-0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.86%	2.78%	-0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62%	3.82%	-1.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.59%	5.61%	-2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.58%	4.65%	+24.93%

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFXIX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than MBOAX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFXIX vs. MBOAX - Dividend Comparison

DFXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%, more than MBOAX's 3.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFXIX DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio	3.70%	3.21%	3.72%	3.02%	2.69%	2.31%	1.39%	102.11%	2.10%	1.09%	0.00%	0.00%
MBOAX Madison Core Bond Fund	3.49%	3.39%	3.27%	2.73%	1.88%	1.85%	3.77%	2.42%	2.48%	2.28%	2.72%	4.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFXIX and MBOAX in my portfolio?

DFXIX and MBOAX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFXIX or MBOAX?

MBOAX has higher volatility (1.45%) compared to DFXIX (0.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFXIX dropped -10.51% vs MBOAX's -17.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFXIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.66 vs 1.26), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.