FIPEX vs. DFAAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FIPEX (Fidelity Advisor 529 Inflation-Protected Bond Portfolio Class A) and DFAAX (DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, FIPEX returned 0.60%/yr vs 5.08%/yr for DFAAX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor 529 Inflation-Protected Bond Portfolio Class A (FIPEX) and DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIPEX achieves a 0.59% return, which is significantly lower than DFAAX's 2.44% return.

FIPEX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 3.17%
• 3Y*: 3.31%
• 5Y*: 0.60%
• 10Y*: —

DFAAX

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 2.44%
• 6M: 2.44%
• 1Y: 3.89%
• 3Y*: 5.98%
• 5Y*: 5.08%
• 10Y*: —

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

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FIPEX Fidelity Advisor 529 Inflation-Protected Bond Portfolio Class A	0.59%	6.53%	1.65%	3.46%	-12.38%	5.33%
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	2.44%	5.18%	4.41%	9.49%	-13.40%	20.47%

Correlation

The correlation between FIPEX and DFAAX is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2021	0.79

The correlation between FIPEX and DFAAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FIPEX vs. DFAAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIPEX

FIPEX Risk / Return Rank: 23
FIPEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
FIPEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
FIPEX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FIPEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FIPEX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

DFAAX

DFAAX Risk / Return Rank: 23
DFAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DFAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
DFAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
DFAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
DFAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor 529 Inflation-Protected Bond Portfolio Class A (FIPEX) and DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FIPEX	DFAAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	1.27	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	1.84	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.24	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	1.55	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.77	5.41	+0.36

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIPEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is comparable to the DFAAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIPEX and DFAAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIPEX drawdown since its inception was -14.81%, smaller than the maximum DFAAX drawdown of -16.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIPEX and DFAAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIPEX	DFAAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.81%	-16.64%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.74%	-2.55%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.56%	-3.44%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.81%	-16.64%	+1.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.77%	-0.61%	-1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.05%	-4.51%	+0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.64%	0.72%	-0.08%

Volatility

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor 529 Inflation-Protected Bond Portfolio Class A (FIPEX) has a higher volatility of 1.14% compared to DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) at 1.00%. This indicates that FIPEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIPEX	DFAAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	1.00%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.40%	2.30%	+0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.56%	3.12%	+0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	8.37%	-2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.47%	8.28%	-2.81%

Dividends

FIPEX vs. DFAAX - Dividend Comparison

FIPEX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	3.39%	2.90%	4.09%	3.96%	2.06%	13.05%
FIPEX Fidelity Advisor 529 Inflation-Protected Bond Portfolio Class A	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIPEX and DFAAX in my portfolio?

FIPEX and DFAAX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FIPEX or DFAAX?

FIPEX has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to DFAAX (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIPEX dropped -14.81% vs DFAAX's -16.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.08), 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.