ISRA vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISRA (VanEck Israel ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both Global Equities funds. ISRA is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISRA returned 9.13%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for DFAI. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISRA charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

ISRA vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISRA achieves a 14.05% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 9.16% return.

ISRA

• 1D: -2.47%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 14.05%
• 6M: 17.88%
• 1Y: 41.95%
• 3Y*: 26.30%
• 5Y*: 9.13%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

DFAI

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 24.65%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

ISRA vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ISRA VanEck Israel ETF	14.05%	36.98%	26.03%	-0.08%	-25.76%	10.06%	15.84%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.16%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	6.13%

Correlation

The correlation between ISRA and DFAI is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.64

The correlation between ISRA and DFAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ISRA vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISRA	DFAI
Financial Services	38.3%	22.5%
Technology	22.2%	9.3%
Healthcare	11.8%	8.8%
Industrials	10.5%	19.5%
Utilities	5.0%	4.0%
Real Estate	4.7%	1.5%
Energy	2.1%	6.8%
Consumer Cyclical	1.9%	8.6%
Communication Services	1.8%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	6.4%
Basic Materials	0.2%	8.8%

Return for Risk

ISRA vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISRA

ISRA Risk / Return Rank: 65
ISRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
ISRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
ISRA Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ISRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
ISRA Martin Ratio Rank: 76

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

ISRA vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) 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.

	ISRA	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.76	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.82	2.49	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.83	2.26	+1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	8.87	+5.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISRA vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISRA Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISRA and DFAI, 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

	ISRA	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	1.76	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.59	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.78	-0.31

Drawdowns

ISRA vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISRA drawdown since its inception was -45.02%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISRA and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISRA	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.02%	-27.44%	-17.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.02%	-10.95%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.74%	-13.25%	-14.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.02%	-27.44%	-17.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.73%	-1.61%	-3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.19%	-5.12%	-6.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	2.79%	+0.11%

Volatility

ISRA vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) has a higher volatility of 5.30% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.45%. This indicates that ISRA'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

	ISRA	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.30%	4.45%	+0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	11.68%	+3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.84%	14.08%	+6.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.87%	15.92%	+5.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.91%	15.70%	+5.21%

ISRA vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISRA has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISRA vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

ISRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than DFAI's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.26%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ISRA VanEck Israel ETF	1.30%	1.48%	1.21%	1.89%	1.36%	1.28%	0.17%	1.38%	0.76%	1.58%	1.62%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISRA and DFAI in my portfolio?

ISRA and DFAI have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISRA or DFAI?

ISRA has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to DFAI (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISRA dropped -45.02% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, ISRA or DFAI?

On 5-year performance, DFAI leads with 9.36% vs 9.13% for ISRA. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISRA or DFAI?

Over the 5-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 9.36% return vs 9.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISRA or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for ISRA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ISRA or DFAI?

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 1.30% for ISRA.

What is the main difference between ISRA and DFAI?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for ISRA and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.76), 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.