FTBFX vs. DFALX
FTBFX (Fidelity Total Bond Fund) and DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) are both mutual funds - FTBFX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Fidelity, while DFALX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, FTBFX returned 2.43%/yr vs 10.35%/yr for DFALX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. FTBFX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFALX.
Performance
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTBFX achieves a 0.57% return, which is significantly lower than DFALX's 10.02% return. Over the past 10 years, FTBFX has underperformed DFALX with an annualized return of 2.43%, while DFALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.35% annualized return.
FTBFX
- 1D
- 0.53%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 0.57%
- 6M
- 1.02%
- 1Y
- 4.86%
- 3Y*
- 4.80%
- 5Y*
- 0.60%
- 10Y*
- 2.43%
DFALX
- 1D
- 2.73%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 10.02%
- 6M
- 11.54%
- 1Y
- 23.55%
- 3Y*
- 18.07%
- 5Y*
- 9.39%
- 10Y*
- 10.35%
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTBFX Fidelity Total Bond Fund | 0.57% | 7.50% | 2.13% | 7.25% | -13.58% | -0.44% | 9.34% | 9.89% | -0.66% | 4.19% |
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio | 10.02% | 33.60% | 4.55% | 17.88% | -13.04% | 12.79% | 8.13% | 22.05% | -14.15% | 25.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTBFX and DFALX 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 | 0.33 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2002 | -0.02 |
The correlation between FTBFX and DFALX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FTBFX vs. DFALX — Risk / Return Rank
FTBFX
DFALX
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). 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.
| FTBFX | DFALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.34 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.30 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.80 | 2.32 | -0.52 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.30 | 8.96 | -3.66 |
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Drawdowns
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTBFX drawdown since its inception was -18.25%, smaller than the maximum DFALX drawdown of -59.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTBFX and DFALX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FTBFX | DFALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.25% | -59.76% | +41.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.89% | -10.70% | +7.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.82% | -13.11% | +7.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.25% | -27.52% | +9.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.25% | -35.58% | +17.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.31% | -0.81% | -0.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.32% | -12.00% | +9.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.98% | 2.76% | -1.78% |
Volatility
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Fidelity Total Bond Fund (FTBFX) is 1.43%, while DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that FTBFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FTBFX | DFALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.43% | 4.92% | -3.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.85% | 12.05% | -9.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.84% | 14.60% | -10.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.67% | 15.77% | -10.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.73% | 16.19% | -11.46% |
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTBFX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than DFALX's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTBFX vs. DFALX - Dividend Comparison
FTBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.36%, more than DFALX's 2.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio | 2.75% | 2.89% | 3.18% | 3.24% | 2.86% | 3.00% | 1.88% | 2.88% | 3.07% | 2.55% | 2.89% | 2.94% |
FTBFX Fidelity Total Bond Fund | 4.36% | 4.36% | 4.15% | 4.15% | 2.54% | 1.89% | 5.22% | 3.03% | 3.19% | 2.97% | 3.61% | 3.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTBFX and DFALX 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.
DFALX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to FTBFX (1.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTBFX dropped -18.25% vs DFALX's -59.76%.
DFALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.36), 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.
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