DFXIX vs. SPAB

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFXIX (DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio) and SPAB (SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF) are both funds - DFXIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Dimensional, while SPAB is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Over the past 5 years, DFXIX returned 1.34%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPAB. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFXIX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPAB.

Performance

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFXIX achieves a 0.94% return, which is significantly higher than SPAB's 0.41% return.

DFXIX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 0.94%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 4.10%
• 3Y*: 4.17%
• 5Y*: 1.34%
• 10Y*: —

SPAB

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.41%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: 3.95%
• 5Y*: 0.04%
• 10Y*: 1.50%

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

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFXIX DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio	0.94%	5.85%	3.05%	4.93%	-7.88%	-0.56%	5.90%	5.54%	1.07%	0.87%
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF	0.41%	7.25%	1.25%	5.56%	-13.04%	-1.77%	7.39%	8.67%	-0.18%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DFXIX and SPAB is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.88

The correlation between DFXIX and SPAB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFXIX vs. SPAB — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFXIX

DFXIX Risk / Return Rank: 39
DFXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
DFXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
DFXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
DFXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DFXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

SPAB

SPAB Risk / Return Rank: 34
SPAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
SPAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SPAB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
SPAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
SPAB Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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. SPAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DFXIX	SPAB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.22	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	1.84	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.22	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	1.66	+0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.31	4.66	+2.65

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFXIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the SPAB Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFXIX and SPAB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFXIX drawdown since its inception was -10.51%, smaller than the maximum SPAB drawdown of -18.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFXIX and SPAB.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFXIX	SPAB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-18.56%	+8.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.69%	-2.74%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.00%	-6.08%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.51%	-17.96%	+7.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-2.15%	+1.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-3.08%	+0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	0.97%	-0.39%

Volatility

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) is 0.90%, while SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) has a volatility of 1.09%. This indicates that DFXIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFXIX	SPAB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.90%	1.09%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.94%	2.69%	-0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59%	3.73%	-1.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.59%	5.93%	-2.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.14%	5.55%	-2.41%

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFXIX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPAB's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFXIX vs. SPAB - Dividend Comparison

DFXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%, less than SPAB's 4.05% 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%	2.11%	2.10%	1.09%	0.00%	0.00%
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF	4.05%	3.97%	3.86%	3.34%	2.59%	2.11%	2.43%	2.92%	2.96%	2.67%	2.63%	2.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFXIX and SPAB in my portfolio?

DFXIX and SPAB have a correlation of 0.90, 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 SPAB?

SPAB has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to DFXIX (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFXIX dropped -10.51% vs SPAB's -18.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFXIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.22), 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.