DGCFX vs. VBTLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGCFX (DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - DGCFX is a Global Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 5 years, DGCFX returned 0.73%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for VBTLX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGCFX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.

Performance

DGCFX vs. VBTLX - 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 Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGCFX achieves a 1.34% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.42% return.

DGCFX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 1.34%
• 6M: 1.08%
• 1Y: 5.33%
• 3Y*: 5.76%
• 5Y*: 0.73%
• 10Y*: —

VBTLX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 5.34%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 0.21%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

DGCFX vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DGCFX DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio	1.34%	6.12%	3.57%	10.01%	-15.88%	-2.04%	8.51%	11.55%	1.13%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.42%	7.17%	1.26%	5.74%	-13.16%	-1.81%	7.72%	8.73%	1.69%

Correlation

The correlation between DGCFX and VBTLX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2018	0.86

The correlation between DGCFX and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DGCFX vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGCFX

DGCFX Risk / Return Rank: 26
DGCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
DGCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
DGCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
DGCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
DGCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VBTLX

VBTLX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VBTLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VBTLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VBTLX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VBTLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTLX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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. VBTLX - 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 Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.

	DGCFX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.36	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	2.04	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.24	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	1.86	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.47	5.58	-0.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGCFX vs. VBTLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGCFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the VBTLX Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGCFX and VBTLX, 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

	DGCFX	VBTLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	1.36	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.04	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.76	-0.22

Drawdowns

DGCFX vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGCFX drawdown since its inception was -21.77%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGCFX and VBTLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGCFX	VBTLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.77%	-18.81%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.19%	-2.89%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.20%	-6.00%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.77%	-18.14%	-3.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.71%	-2.18%	+1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-2.67%	-2.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	0.96%	+0.02%

Volatility

DGCFX vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) have volatilities of 1.41% and 1.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGCFX	VBTLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.41%	1.38%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	2.80%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.56%	3.97%	-0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.47%	6.01%	-0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.92%	4.98%	-0.06%

DGCFX vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGCFX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% 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. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison

DGCFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, more than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.98%	3.87%	3.69%	3.10%	2.59%	1.96%	2.39%	2.74%	2.57%	2.56%	2.53%	2.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGCFX and VBTLX in my portfolio?

DGCFX and VBTLX have a correlation of 0.79, 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 VBTLX?

DGCFX has higher volatility (1.41%) compared to VBTLX (1.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGCFX dropped -21.77% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.36), 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.