FLDAX vs. DFCFX

Last updated Jul 4, 2026

FLDAX (Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund) and DFCFX (DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, FLDAX returned 2.32%/yr vs 2.50%/yr for DFCFX. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLDAX charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for DFCFX.

Performance

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund (FLDAX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLDAX achieves a 0.95% return, which is significantly lower than DFCFX's 1.82% return. Over the past 10 years, FLDAX has underperformed DFCFX with an annualized return of 2.32%, while DFCFX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.50% annualized return.

FLDAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.24%
• 6M: 0.95%
• YTD: 0.95%
• 1Y: 3.49%
• 3Y*: 4.93%
• 5Y*: 2.31%
• 10Y*: 2.32%

DFCFX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 1.82%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 1Y: 3.92%
• 3Y*: 4.05%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: 2.50%

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

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLDAX Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund	0.95%	5.30%	4.79%	5.34%	-4.40%	0.91%	3.04%	4.79%	0.60%	1.22%
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	1.82%	2.28%	5.33%	4.92%	-3.28%	8.60%	0.57%	2.65%	1.78%	0.92%

Correlation

The correlation between FLDAX and DFCFX is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2004	0.26

Over the past year, the correlation between FLDAX and DFCFX has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.26, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FLDAX vs. DFCFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLDAX

FLDAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
FLDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FLDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FLDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FLDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FLDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

DFCFX

DFCFX Risk / Return Rank: 100
DFCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund (FLDAX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). 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.

	FLDAX	DFCFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	5.99	-4.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	15.32	-12.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	9.16	-7.72
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	19.84	-17.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	173.98	-162.91

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is lower than the DFCFX Sharpe Ratio of 5.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLDAX and DFCFX, 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

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLDAX drawdown since its inception was -12.84%, which is greater than DFCFX's maximum drawdown of -4.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLDAX and DFCFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLDAX	DFCFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.84%	-4.27%	-8.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.22%	-0.21%	-1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.22%	-1.33%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.72%	-4.27%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.84%	-4.27%	-8.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.01%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.67%	-0.26%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.30%	0.02%	+0.28%

Volatility

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund (FLDAX) has a higher volatility of 0.49% compared to DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) at 0.38%. This indicates that FLDAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLDAX	DFCFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.49%	0.38%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.41%	0.52%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83%	0.68%	+1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.17%	4.39%	-2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.61%	3.13%	-0.52%

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLDAX has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCFX's 0.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLDAX vs. DFCFX - Dividend Comparison

FLDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, more than DFCFX's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	3.86%	2.16%	4.90%	3.43%	1.32%	8.29%	0.67%	2.22%	1.87%	1.22%	0.79%	0.53%
FLDAX Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund	4.24%	4.26%	4.32%	3.69%	3.33%	2.39%	2.94%	3.74%	3.01%	1.84%	1.71%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLDAX and DFCFX in my portfolio?

FLDAX and DFCFX have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLDAX or DFCFX?

FLDAX has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to DFCFX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLDAX dropped -12.84% vs DFCFX's -4.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.99 vs 1.79), 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.