IBND vs. DGCFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IBND (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF) and DGCFX (DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio) are both funds - IBND is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate x USD >$1B: Corporate Bond, while DGCFX is a Global Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, IBND returned -1.24%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for DGCFX. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBND charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DGCFX.

Performance

IBND vs. DGCFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) and DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBND achieves a -1.99% return, which is significantly lower than DGCFX's 1.78% return.

IBND

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.81%
• YTD: -1.99%
• 6M: -1.90%
• 1Y: 0.75%
• 3Y*: 5.84%
• 5Y*: -1.24%
• 10Y*: 0.73%

DGCFX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.19%
• YTD: 1.78%
• 6M: 2.11%
• 1Y: 4.98%
• 3Y*: 6.03%
• 5Y*: 0.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

IBND vs. DGCFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF	-1.99%	16.17%	-2.81%	10.38%	-19.44%	-8.40%	11.50%	4.41%	-8.55%
DGCFX DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio	1.78%	6.12%	3.57%	10.01%	-15.88%	-2.04%	8.51%	11.55%	1.13%

Correlation

The correlation between IBND and DGCFX is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2018	0.47

The correlation between IBND and DGCFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.60 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IBND vs. DGCFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBND

IBND Risk / Return Rank: 9
IBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
IBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
IBND Omega Ratio Rank: 9
IBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IBND Martin Ratio Rank: 9

DGCFX

DGCFX Risk / Return Rank: 28
DGCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
DGCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
DGCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
DGCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
DGCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

IBND vs. DGCFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) and DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX). 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.

	IBND	DGCFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.09	1.46	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.19	2.15	-1.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.28	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.11	1.61	-1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.29	5.15	-4.86

IBND vs. DGCFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBND Sharpe Ratio is 0.09, which is lower than the DGCFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBND and DGCFX, 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

IBND vs. DGCFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBND drawdown since its inception was -35.62%, which is greater than DGCFX's maximum drawdown of -21.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBND and DGCFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBND	DGCFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.62%	-21.77%	-13.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.75%	-3.19%	-3.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-4.20%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.49%	-21.77%	-11.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.29%	-0.28%	-10.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.63%	-5.34%	-5.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	0.99%	+1.63%

Volatility

IBND vs. DGCFX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) has a higher volatility of 2.05% compared to DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio (DGCFX) at 1.02%. This indicates that IBND's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGCFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBND	DGCFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	1.02%	+1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.31%	2.86%	+3.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.04%	3.52%	+4.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.75%	5.47%	+4.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.95%	4.91%	+4.04%

IBND vs. DGCFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBND has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DGCFX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBND vs. DGCFX - Dividend Comparison

IBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.76%, less than DGCFX's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGCFX DFA Global Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio	4.73%	4.22%	4.40%	4.03%	2.26%	2.45%	1.78%	1.92%	6.17%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF	2.76%	2.49%	2.61%	2.08%	0.54%	0.38%	0.45%	0.67%	0.71%	0.34%	0.01%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBND and DGCFX in my portfolio?

IBND and DGCFX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBND or DGCFX?

IBND has higher volatility (2.05%) compared to DGCFX (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBND dropped -35.62% vs DGCFX's -21.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 0.09), 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.