DFXIX vs. VTES

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFXIX (DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio) and VTES (Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both funds - DFXIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Dimensional, while VTES is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P 0-7 Year National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 3 years, DFXIX returned 4.09%/yr vs 3.09%/yr for VTES. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFXIX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VTES.

Performance

DFXIX vs. VTES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DFXIX having a 0.73% return and VTES slightly higher at 0.76%.

DFXIX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 0.83%
• 1Y: 3.66%
• 3Y*: 4.09%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: —

VTES

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 0.76%
• 6M: 0.87%
• 1Y: 3.26%
• 3Y*: 3.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFXIX vs. VTES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFXIX DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio	0.73%	5.85%	3.05%	4.81%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	0.76%	4.19%	1.85%	3.32%

Correlation

The correlation between DFXIX and VTES is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2023	0.62

The correlation between DFXIX and VTES shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFXIX vs. VTES — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFXIX

DFXIX Risk / Return Rank: 33
DFXIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
DFXIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DFXIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
DFXIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
DFXIX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VTES

VTES Risk / Return Rank: 71
VTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VTES Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VTES Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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. VTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) and Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES). 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	VTES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.64	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	3.80	-1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.61	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.23	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.71	6.38	+0.33

DFXIX vs. VTES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFXIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the VTES Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFXIX and VTES, 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. VTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFXIX drawdown since its inception was -10.51%, which is greater than VTES's maximum drawdown of -2.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFXIX and VTES.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFXIX	VTES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-2.42%	-8.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.69%	-1.47%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.00%	-1.80%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-0.52%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-0.50%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	0.51%	+0.07%

Volatility

DFXIX vs. VTES - Volatility Comparison

DFA Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (DFXIX) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTES) at 0.27%. This indicates that DFXIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFXIX	VTES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.27%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.95%	0.98%	+0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61%	1.24%	+1.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.60%	1.71%	+1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.14%	1.71%	+1.43%

DFXIX vs. VTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFXIX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VTES's 0.07% 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. VTES - Dividend Comparison

DFXIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%, more than VTES's 2.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VTES Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.75%	2.77%	2.99%	2.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFXIX and VTES in my portfolio?

DFXIX and VTES have a correlation of 0.50, 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 VTES?

DFXIX has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to VTES (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFXIX dropped -10.51% vs VTES's -2.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.50), 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.