FXAIX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both mutual funds - FXAIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while DCARX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, FXAIX returned 14.28%/yr vs 2.55%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXAIX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXAIX achieves a 11.71% return, which is significantly higher than DCARX's 2.03% return.

FXAIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.75%
• 5Y*: 14.28%
• 10Y*: 15.66%

DCARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 3.47%
• 3Y*: 3.27%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	11.71%	17.84%	25.01%	26.29%	-18.14%	28.71%	18.42%	31.48%	-4.43%	1.98%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.03%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.46%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between FXAIX and DCARX 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	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.19

The correlation between FXAIX and DCARX shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FXAIX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXAIX

FXAIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
FXAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FXAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FXAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FXAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FXAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 96
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). 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.

	FXAIX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	3.27	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	5.44	-2.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.95	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	7.25	-3.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.70	20.39	-4.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 3.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXAIX and DCARX, 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

	FXAIX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	3.27	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	1.14	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.96	-0.13

Drawdowns

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXAIX drawdown since its inception was -33.79%, which is greater than DCARX's maximum drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXAIX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXAIX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.79%	-12.27%	-21.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.89%	-0.47%	-8.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-1.39%	-17.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-4.79%	-19.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-0.74%	-3.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	0.17%	+1.73%

Volatility

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) has a higher volatility of 2.83% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.44%. This indicates that FXAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FXAIX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.83%	0.44%	+2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.97%	0.86%	+8.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.86%	1.04%	+10.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	2.24%	+14.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	2.91%	+15.16%

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXAIX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than DCARX's 0.26% 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

FXAIX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

FXAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than DCARX's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.22%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	1.03%	1.11%	1.25%	1.45%	1.69%	1.22%	1.60%	2.06%	2.72%	1.97%	2.52%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXAIX and DCARX in my portfolio?

FXAIX and DCARX 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, FXAIX or DCARX?

FXAIX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to DCARX (0.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXAIX dropped -33.79% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DCARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.27 vs 2.52), 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.