DWFIX vs. DFGBX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DWFIX (DFA World ex U.S. Government Fixed Income Portfolio) and DFGBX (DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio) are both Global Bonds funds from Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DWFIX returned 1.51%/yr vs 1.27%/yr for DFGBX. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DWFIX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for DFGBX.

Performance

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA World ex U.S. Government Fixed Income Portfolio (DWFIX) and DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWFIX achieves a 0.71% return, which is significantly lower than DFGBX's 1.15% return. Over the past 10 years, DWFIX has outperformed DFGBX with an annualized return of 1.51%, while DFGBX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.27% annualized return.

DWFIX

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.25%
• 1Y: 1.63%
• 3Y*: 3.80%
• 5Y*: -1.31%
• 10Y*: 1.51%

DFGBX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.33%
• 1Y: 2.38%
• 3Y*: 4.19%
• 5Y*: 1.22%
• 10Y*: 1.27%

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

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DWFIX DFA World ex U.S. Government Fixed Income Portfolio	0.71%	2.71%	1.60%	9.96%	-18.94%	-4.63%	6.35%	13.36%	3.28%	4.41%
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	1.15%	3.13%	5.37%	5.00%	-6.63%	-1.03%	1.52%	4.04%	1.68%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between DWFIX and DFGBX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.56

The correlation between DWFIX and DFGBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (3 years) to 0.65 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DWFIX vs. DFGBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWFIX

DWFIX Risk / Return Rank: 6
DWFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
DWFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
DWFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
DWFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
DWFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

DFGBX

DFGBX Risk / Return Rank: 25
DFGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
DFGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
DFGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
DFGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA World ex U.S. Government Fixed Income Portfolio (DWFIX) and DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX). 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.

	DWFIX	DFGBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.47	1.34	-0.87
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.70	1.68	-0.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.39	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	1.80	-1.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.78	4.92	-3.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWFIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.47, which is lower than the DFGBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWFIX and DFGBX, 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

	DWFIX	DFGBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47	1.34	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.21	0.56	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.66	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.74	-0.27

Drawdowns

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWFIX drawdown since its inception was -24.76%, which is greater than DFGBX's maximum drawdown of -9.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWFIX and DFGBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWFIX	DFGBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.76%	-9.63%	-15.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.00%	-1.38%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.72%	-1.67%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.55%	-9.63%	-13.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.76%	-9.63%	-15.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.74%	-0.20%	-10.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.03%	-0.93%	-5.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	0.50%	+0.68%

Volatility

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Volatility Comparison

DFA World ex U.S. Government Fixed Income Portfolio (DWFIX) has a higher volatility of 1.38% compared to DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX) at 0.57%. This indicates that DWFIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFGBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWFIX	DFGBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.38%	0.57%	+0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.85%	1.31%	+1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.51%	1.88%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.33%	2.20%	+4.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	1.93%	+3.55%

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWFIX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than DFGBX's 0.23% 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

DWFIX vs. DFGBX - Dividend Comparison

DWFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than DFGBX's 3.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	3.43%	2.91%	4.69%	3.61%	1.63%	0.73%	0.03%	2.30%	4.74%	0.89%	1.16%	1.72%
DWFIX DFA World ex U.S. Government Fixed Income Portfolio	2.44%	1.86%	3.08%	4.46%	0.01%	1.86%	1.69%	8.62%	7.77%	1.33%	2.77%	7.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DWFIX and DFGBX in my portfolio?

DWFIX and DFGBX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DWFIX or DFGBX?

DWFIX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to DFGBX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWFIX dropped -24.76% vs DFGBX's -9.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.34 vs 0.47), 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.