FSTZX vs. DFAAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSTZX (Fidelity Series 0-5 Year Inflation-Protected Bond Index Fund) and DFAAX (DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 3 years, FSTZX returned 5.30%/yr vs 6.24%/yr for DFAAX. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FSTZX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for DFAAX.

Performance

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Series 0-5 Year Inflation-Protected Bond Index Fund (FSTZX) 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, FSTZX achieves a 2.09% return, which is significantly lower than DFAAX's 3.06% return.

FSTZX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 2.09%
• 6M: 2.02%
• 1Y: 4.67%
• 3Y*: 5.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 3.06%
• 6M: 2.63%
• 1Y: 5.28%
• 3Y*: 6.24%
• 5Y*: 5.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FSTZX Fidelity Series 0-5 Year Inflation-Protected Bond Index Fund	2.09%	5.99%	4.87%	4.67%	-2.83%	1.32%
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	3.06%	5.18%	4.41%	9.49%	-13.40%	16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between FSTZX and DFAAX is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2021	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between FSTZX and DFAAX has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FSTZX vs. DFAAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSTZX

FSTZX Risk / Return Rank: 93
FSTZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FSTZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FSTZX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
FSTZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FSTZX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

DFAAX

DFAAX Risk / Return Rank: 34
DFAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
DFAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
DFAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
DFAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
DFAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Series 0-5 Year Inflation-Protected Bond Index Fund (FSTZX) 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.

	FSTZX	DFAAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	1.71	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.65	2.50	+2.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.34	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.68	2.06	+4.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.52	7.27	+17.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSTZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is higher than the DFAAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSTZX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FSTZX	DFAAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	1.71	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	0.63	+0.57

Drawdowns

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSTZX drawdown since its inception was -5.30%, smaller than the maximum DFAAX drawdown of -16.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSTZX and DFAAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSTZX	DFAAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-16.64%	+11.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.70%	-2.55%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.03%	-3.44%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.09%	-4.55%	+3.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.19%	0.72%	-0.53%

Volatility

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Series 0-5 Year Inflation-Protected Bond Index Fund (FSTZX) is 0.51%, while DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) has a volatility of 0.93%. This indicates that FSTZX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSTZX	DFAAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.51%	0.93%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.09%	2.23%	-1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64%	3.06%	-1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.79%	8.37%	-5.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.79%	8.32%	-5.53%

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSTZX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAAX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSTZX vs. DFAAX - Dividend Comparison

FSTZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.64%, more than DFAAX's 3.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	3.37%	2.90%	4.09%	3.96%	2.06%	13.05%
FSTZX Fidelity Series 0-5 Year Inflation-Protected Bond Index Fund	3.64%	4.02%	2.78%	2.54%	5.25%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSTZX and DFAAX in my portfolio?

FSTZX and DFAAX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSTZX or DFAAX?

DFAAX has higher volatility (0.93%) compared to FSTZX (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSTZX dropped -5.30% vs DFAAX's -16.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSTZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 1.71), 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.