DGCFX vs. BNDW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DGCFX (DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio) and BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) are both Global Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, DGCFX returned 0.60%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for BNDW. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGCFX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BNDW.

Performance

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGCFX achieves a 1.45% return, which is significantly higher than BNDW's 0.88% return.

DGCFX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.56%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 5.84%
• 5Y*: 0.60%
• 10Y*: —

BNDW

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 0.88%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 3.23%
• 3Y*: 4.10%
• 5Y*: 0.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DGCFX DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio	1.45%	6.12%	3.57%	10.01%	-15.88%	-2.04%	8.51%	11.55%	0.17%
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF	0.88%	5.02%	2.42%	7.18%	-12.88%	-2.10%	6.22%	8.37%	1.27%

Correlation

The correlation between DGCFX and BNDW is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2018	0.89

The correlation between DGCFX and BNDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DGCFX vs. BNDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGCFX

DGCFX Risk / Return Rank: 23
DGCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
DGCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
DGCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
DGCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
DGCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

BNDW

BNDW Risk / Return Rank: 26
BNDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
BNDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
BNDW Omega Ratio Rank: 25
BNDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
BNDW Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW). 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.

	DGCFX	BNDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	0.97	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	1.40	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.17	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	1.20	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.69	3.24	+1.44

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGCFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the BNDW Sharpe Ratio of 0.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGCFX and BNDW, 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

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGCFX drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, which is greater than BNDW's maximum drawdown of -17.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGCFX and BNDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGCFX	BNDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.77%	-17.22%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.19%	-2.70%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.20%	-4.27%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.77%	-16.93%	-4.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-1.08%	+0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.34%	-4.95%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	1.00%	0.00%

Volatility

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Volatility Comparison

DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX) has a higher volatility of 1.00% compared to Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) at 0.92%. This indicates that DGCFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGCFX	BNDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	0.92%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	2.70%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.54%	3.35%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.47%	5.22%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.91%	4.89%	+0.02%

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGCFX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDW's 0.05% 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

DGCFX vs. BNDW - Dividend Comparison

DGCFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, more than BNDW's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF	4.19%	4.12%	3.90%	3.73%	2.02%	2.58%	1.56%	3.05%	1.66%
DGCFX DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio	4.75%	4.22%	4.40%	4.03%	2.26%	2.45%	1.78%	1.92%	6.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGCFX and BNDW in my portfolio?

DGCFX and BNDW have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGCFX or BNDW?

DGCFX has higher volatility (1.00%) compared to BNDW (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGCFX dropped -21.77% vs BNDW's -17.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 0.97), 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.