DRIIX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DRIIX (Dimensional 2045 Target Date Retirement Income Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - DRIIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Dimensional, while DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DRIIX returned 11.78%/yr vs 10.01%/yr for DFIEX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DRIIX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional 2045 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIIX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRIIX achieves a 10.06% return, which is significantly lower than DFIEX's 11.05% return. Over the past 10 years, DRIIX has outperformed DFIEX with an annualized return of 11.78%, while DFIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.01% annualized return.

DRIIX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 6M: 10.67%
• 1Y: 23.61%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 10.41%
• 10Y*: 11.78%

DFIEX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 3.55%
• YTD: 11.05%
• 6M: 14.04%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.64%
• 5Y*: 9.78%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

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

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DRIIX Dimensional 2045 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	10.06%	17.17%	15.44%	19.21%	-14.15%	20.45%	13.36%	25.42%	-9.17%	21.64%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	11.05%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	21.70%	-17.41%	28.04%

Correlation

The correlation between DRIIX and DFIEX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.88

The correlation between DRIIX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DRIIX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DRIIX

DRIIX Risk / Return Rank: 79
DRIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
DRIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DRIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DRIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DRIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 45
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional 2045 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIIX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). 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.

	DRIIX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	1.99	+0.72
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.87	2.76	+1.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.36	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	2.49	+0.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.35	9.74	+5.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRIIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is higher than the DFIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRIIX and DFIEX, 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

	DRIIX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	1.99	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.62	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.61	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.37	+0.44

Drawdowns

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRIIX drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, smaller than the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRIIX and DFIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRIIX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-62.22%	+29.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.13%	-11.01%	+3.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.04%	-12.81%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.77%	-28.66%	+6.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.56%	-41.04%	+8.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.35%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.99%	-12.18%	+8.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.57%	2.81%	-1.24%

Volatility

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional 2045 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIIX) is 2.66%, while DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) has a volatility of 4.11%. This indicates that DRIIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRIIX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	4.11%	-1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.17%	11.15%	-3.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.97%	13.85%	-4.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	15.75%	-2.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.62%	16.39%	-1.77%

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRIIX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than DFIEX's 0.24% 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

DRIIX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

DRIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, less than DFIEX's 2.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	2.91%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%
DRIIX Dimensional 2045 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	2.67%	2.89%	3.25%	3.43%	3.90%	3.23%	2.92%	2.19%	2.29%	1.23%	1.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRIIX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

DRIIX and DFIEX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DRIIX or DFIEX?

DFIEX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to DRIIX (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRIIX dropped -32.56% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.99), 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.