DGLIX vs. VMVFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGLIX (DFA Global Small Company Portfolio) and VMVFX (Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, DGLIX returned 7.77%/yr vs 10.78%/yr for VMVFX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DGLIX charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for VMVFX.

Performance

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Small Company Portfolio (DGLIX) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGLIX achieves a 12.93% return, which is significantly higher than VMVFX's 8.43% return.

DGLIX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 12.93%
• 6M: 13.43%
• 1Y: 27.58%
• 3Y*: 16.63%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: —

VMVFX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 2.52%
• YTD: 8.43%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 13.14%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: 9.51%

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

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGLIX DFA Global Small Company Portfolio	12.93%	15.76%	8.86%	16.71%	-14.60%	23.21%	11.01%	21.76%	-15.96%	16.09%
VMVFX Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares	8.43%	12.74%	13.38%	7.82%	-4.48%	23.74%	-3.99%	23.28%	-1.79%	15.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DGLIX and VMVFX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.74

The correlation between DGLIX and VMVFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DGLIX vs. VMVFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGLIX

DGLIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
DGLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
DGLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
DGLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
DGLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
DGLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VMVFX

VMVFX Risk / Return Rank: 39
VMVFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VMVFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VMVFX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VMVFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VMVFX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Small Company Portfolio (DGLIX) and Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX). 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.

	DGLIX	VMVFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.92	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	2.74	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.34	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	2.08	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.16	8.13	+3.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGLIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the VMVFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGLIX and VMVFX, 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

	DGLIX	VMVFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.92	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	1.01	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.82	-0.31

Drawdowns

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGLIX drawdown since its inception was -42.56%, which is greater than VMVFX's maximum drawdown of -33.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGLIX and VMVFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGLIX	VMVFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.56%	-33.09%	-9.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.60%	-6.27%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.69%	-7.96%	-11.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.16%	-13.02%	-13.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.18%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.41%	-2.83%	-4.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.57%	1.60%	+0.97%

Volatility

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Global Small Company Portfolio (DGLIX) has a higher volatility of 4.04% compared to Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares (VMVFX) at 1.94%. This indicates that DGLIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMVFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DGLIX	VMVFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	1.94%	+2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	5.17%	+5.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.09%	6.81%	+7.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.96%	10.76%	+6.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.34%	12.48%	+5.86%

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGLIX has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than VMVFX's 0.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGLIX vs. VMVFX - Dividend Comparison

DGLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than VMVFX's 9.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGLIX DFA Global Small Company Portfolio	1.47%	1.66%	2.69%	2.56%	1.27%	3.63%	1.33%	1.46%	1.10%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%
VMVFX Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund Investor Shares	9.20%	9.98%	3.77%	3.05%	4.96%	12.73%	2.02%	5.12%	7.27%	2.30%	2.71%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGLIX and VMVFX in my portfolio?

DGLIX and VMVFX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGLIX or VMVFX?

DGLIX has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to VMVFX (1.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGLIX dropped -42.56% vs VMVFX's -33.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.92), 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.