GXTG vs. DFAI

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X Thematic Growth ETF (GXTG) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI).

GXTG and DFAI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. GXTG is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Solactive Thematic Growth Index. It was launched on Oct 25, 2019. DFAI is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Nov 17, 2020.

Performance

GXTG vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Thematic Growth ETF (GXTG) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

GXTG vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GXTG Global X Thematic Growth ETF	-5.33%	3.52%	-3.55%	10.26%	-48.08%	3.21%	13.01%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	4.03%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	6.13%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GXTG achieves a -5.33% return, which is significantly lower than DFAI's 4.03% return.

GXTG

• 1D: 1.58%
• 1M: -4.04%
• YTD: -5.33%
• 6M: -16.58%
• 1Y: 1.48%
• 3Y*: -2.35%
• 5Y*: -12.97%
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -4.63%
• YTD: 4.03%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 29.81%
• 3Y*: 16.70%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

GXTG vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GXTG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

GXTG

Global X Thematic Growth ETF

DFAI

Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF

Return for Risk

GXTG vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GXTG

GXTG Risk / Return Rank: 13
GXTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
GXTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
GXTG Omega Ratio Rank: 14
GXTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
GXTG Martin Ratio Rank: 12

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 87
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GXTG vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Thematic Growth ETF (GXTG) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	GXTG	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.05	1.79	-1.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.27	2.44	-2.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.37	-0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.05	2.74	-2.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.12	10.73	-10.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GXTG vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GXTG Sharpe Ratio is 0.05, which is lower than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GXTG and DFAI, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GXTG	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05	1.79	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.48	0.62	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.03	0.75	-0.78

Correlation

The correlation between GXTG and DFAI is 0.66, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

GXTG vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

GXTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than DFAI's 2.37% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GXTG Global X Thematic Growth ETF	1.48%	1.40%	1.08%	1.99%	1.48%	1.56%	0.48%	0.31%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.37%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%

Drawdowns

GXTG vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GXTG drawdown since its inception was -67.81%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GXTG and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GXTG	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.81%	-27.44%	-40.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.65%	-10.95%	-13.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.17%	-27.44%	-33.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.58%	-6.23%	-56.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.77%	-5.21%	-37.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.86%	2.79%	+7.07%

Volatility

GXTG vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Global X Thematic Growth ETF (GXTG) has a higher volatility of 8.38% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 6.97%. This indicates that GXTG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GXTG	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.38%	6.97%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.72%	10.65%	+10.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.43%	16.73%	+10.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.32%	15.81%	+11.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.53%	15.66%	+13.87%