DMREX vs. VMLUX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DMREX (DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio) and VMLUX (Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, DMREX returned 2.87%/yr vs 2.14%/yr for VMLUX. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DMREX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VMLUX.

Performance

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX) and Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VMLUX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMREX achieves a 2.14% return, which is significantly higher than VMLUX's 0.96% return. Over the past 10 years, DMREX has outperformed VMLUX with an annualized return of 2.87%, while VMLUX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.14% annualized return.

DMREX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 2.14%
• 6M: 2.29%
• 1Y: 3.50%
• 3Y*: 3.37%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: 2.87%

VMLUX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.96%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: 4.35%
• 3Y*: 4.31%
• 5Y*: 2.19%
• 10Y*: 2.14%

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

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DMREX DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.14%	2.77%	3.10%	2.56%	-1.42%	6.75%	4.11%	6.64%	-0.51%	2.57%
VMLUX Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	0.96%	5.50%	3.25%	4.29%	-2.90%	0.23%	3.38%	4.21%	1.64%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between DMREX and VMLUX is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.28

The correlation between DMREX and VMLUX shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.29 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DMREX vs. VMLUX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMREX

DMREX Risk / Return Rank: 95
DMREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DMREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VMLUX

VMLUX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VMLUX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
VMLUX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VMLUX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
VMLUX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VMLUX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX) and Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VMLUX). 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.

	DMREX	VMLUX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.58	2.90	+0.69
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	6.11	5.36	+0.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.10	1.96	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.88	3.01	+3.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.11	10.13	+5.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMREX Sharpe Ratio is 3.58, which is comparable to the VMLUX Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMREX and VMLUX, 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

	DMREX	VMLUX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.58	2.90	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	1.17	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92	1.11	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.48	-0.60

Drawdowns

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMREX drawdown since its inception was -13.22%, which is greater than VMLUX's maximum drawdown of -6.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMREX and VMLUX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMREX	VMLUX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.22%	-6.41%	-6.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.51%	-1.53%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.48%	-2.02%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.33%	-5.60%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.22%	-6.41%	-6.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.47%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.88%	-0.54%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	0.46%	-0.24%

Volatility

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX) is 0.39%, while Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VMLUX) has a volatility of 0.46%. This indicates that DMREX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VMLUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMREX	VMLUX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.39%	0.46%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.79%	1.17%	-0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99%	1.51%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.45%	1.87%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.14%	1.93%	+1.21%

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMREX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than VMLUX's 0.09% 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

DMREX vs. VMLUX - Dividend Comparison

DMREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, more than VMLUX's 3.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DMREX DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.25%	2.95%	3.55%	1.96%	1.16%	0.98%	1.44%	2.26%	1.54%	1.32%	1.15%	1.09%
VMLUX Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.16%	3.85%	3.38%	2.39%	1.64%	1.04%	1.70%	2.10%	1.89%	1.65%	1.62%	1.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMREX and VMLUX in my portfolio?

DMREX and VMLUX have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DMREX or VMLUX?

VMLUX has higher volatility (0.46%) compared to DMREX (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMREX dropped -13.22% vs VMLUX's -6.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.58 vs 2.90), 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.