DGEIX vs. CWS

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

DGEIX (DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both funds - DGEIX is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while CWS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, DGEIX returned 10.64%/yr vs 8.08%/yr for CWS. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DGEIX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

DGEIX vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class (DGEIX) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGEIX achieves a 13.02% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's -0.26% return.

DGEIX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 0.98%
• 6M: 9.81%
• YTD: 13.02%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: 19.04%
• 5Y*: 10.64%
• 10Y*: 12.30%

CWS

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: -3.64%
• YTD: -0.26%
• 1Y: -1.11%
• 3Y*: 8.36%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: —

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

DGEIX vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGEIX DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class	13.02%	19.86%	15.71%	20.35%	-14.72%	20.31%	13.51%	26.68%	-11.48%	21.36%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-0.26%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	30.97%	-6.46%	20.92%

Correlation

The correlation between DGEIX and CWS is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2016	0.75

The correlation between DGEIX and CWS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DGEIX vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGEIX

DGEIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
DGEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DGEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DGEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 8
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

DGEIX vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class (DGEIX) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). 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.

	DGEIX	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	-0.08	+1.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	-0.02	+2.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.00	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	-0.09	+2.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.31	-0.23	+11.54

DGEIX vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGEIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGEIX and CWS, 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

DGEIX vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGEIX drawdown since its inception was -59.77%, which is greater than CWS's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGEIX and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGEIX	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.77%	-33.82%	-25.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-11.92%	+3.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.97%	-16.56%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.20%	-24.87%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-4.75%	+4.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.97%	-4.55%	-3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	4.80%	-2.73%

Volatility

DGEIX vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class (DGEIX) has a higher volatility of 4.11% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 3.55%. This indicates that DGEIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGEIX	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	3.55%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.97%	10.41%	-0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.35%	13.48%	-1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.72%	15.69%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.77%	16.87%	-0.10%

DGEIX vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGEIX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGEIX vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

DGEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.72%, more than CWS's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.31%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%	0.00%
DGEIX DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class	2.72%	2.79%	3.64%	3.82%	4.92%	1.94%	2.37%	2.22%	2.62%	1.50%	1.90%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGEIX and CWS in my portfolio?

DGEIX and CWS have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGEIX or CWS?

DGEIX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to CWS (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGEIX dropped -59.77% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs -0.08), 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.