DMXF vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DMXF (iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DMXF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Choice ESG Screened Index, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DMXF returned 6.83%/yr vs -6.31%/yr for TLT. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DMXF charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

DMXF vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (DMXF) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMXF achieves a 11.52% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.

DMXF

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 11.52%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 19.38%
• 3Y*: 14.81%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 10Y*: —

TLT

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: -0.27%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 4.93%
• 3Y*: -1.80%
• 5Y*: -6.31%
• 10Y*: -1.66%

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

DMXF vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF	11.52%	22.07%	3.99%	20.52%	-19.25%	10.90%	23.13%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-0.27%	4.25%	-8.05%	2.77%	-31.23%	-4.60%	-2.05%

Correlation

The correlation between DMXF and TLT is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2020	0.11

Over the past year, DMXF and TLT have become more correlated (0.32) than their long-term average of 0.11, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

DMXF vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMXF

DMXF Risk / Return Rank: 34
DMXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
DMXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DMXF Omega Ratio Rank: 32
DMXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
DMXF Martin Ratio Rank: 39

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

DMXF vs. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (DMXF) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.

	DMXF	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	0.51	+0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	0.80	+1.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.09	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	0.65	+0.99
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.16	1.63	+4.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DMXF vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMXF and TLT, 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

	DMXF	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	0.51	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	-0.40	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.26	+0.40

Drawdowns

DMXF vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMXF drawdown since its inception was -34.52%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMXF and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMXF	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.52%	-48.35%	+13.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-7.58%	-4.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-19.18%	+2.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.52%	-43.70%	+9.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-40.44%	+39.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.67%	-13.82%	+6.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	3.04%	+0.11%

Volatility

DMXF vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (DMXF) has a higher volatility of 5.13% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.76%. This indicates that DMXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMXF	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.13%	2.76%	+2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	6.50%	+6.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.07%	9.77%	+6.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.68%	15.87%	+1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	14.91%	+2.34%

DMXF vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMXF has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DMXF vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

DMXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%, less than TLT's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF	4.35%	4.85%	2.92%	2.29%	2.37%	1.91%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.59%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMXF and TLT in my portfolio?

DMXF and TLT have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DMXF or TLT?

DMXF has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to TLT (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMXF dropped -34.52% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which ETF is better, DMXF or TLT?

On 5-year performance, DMXF leads with 6.83% vs -6.31% for TLT. On fees, DMXF is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DMXF or TLT?

Over the 5-year period, DMXF has performed better with a 6.83% return vs -6.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DMXF or TLT?

DMXF is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for TLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DMXF or TLT?

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 4.35% for DMXF.

What is the main difference between DMXF and TLT?

DMXF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while TLT is Government Bonds. DMXF tracks MSCI EAFE Choice ESG Screened Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DMXF and 0.15% for TLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMXF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.51), 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.