IXUS vs. DFAR
IXUS (iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF) and DFAR (Dimensional US Real Estate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXUS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Index (Net), while DFAR is a REIT fund actively managed by Dimensional. IXUS is passively managed, while DFAR is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IXUS returned 19.01%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for DFAR. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXUS charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFAR.
Performance
IXUS vs. DFAR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXUS achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly lower than DFAR's 15.09% return.
IXUS
- 1D
- -3.08%
- 1M
- 0.45%
- YTD
- 12.74%
- 6M
- 12.52%
- 1Y
- 29.41%
- 3Y*
- 19.01%
- 5Y*
- 8.29%
- 10Y*
- 10.21%
DFAR
- 1D
- 0.73%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 15.09%
- 6M
- 15.60%
- 1Y
- 13.30%
- 3Y*
- 11.71%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IXUS vs. DFAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | 12.74% | 32.40% | 5.19% | 15.83% | -11.66% |
DFAR Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | 15.09% | 1.31% | 5.25% | 11.04% | -12.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXUS and DFAR is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2022 | 0.54 |
The correlation between IXUS and DFAR shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IXUS vs. DFAR — Risk / Return Rank
IXUS
DFAR
IXUS vs. DFAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR). 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.
| IXUS | DFAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.18 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.60 | 1.58 | +1.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.00 | 4.95 | +5.05 |
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Drawdowns
IXUS vs. DFAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXUS drawdown since its inception was -36.22%, which is greater than DFAR's maximum drawdown of -32.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXUS and DFAR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXUS | DFAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.22% | -32.27% | -3.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.36% | -8.43% | -2.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.75% | -17.64% | +3.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.03% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.22% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.08% | -1.31% | -1.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.48% | -14.05% | +6.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.95% | 2.69% | +0.26% |
Volatility
IXUS vs. DFAR - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) has a higher volatility of 7.22% compared to Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) at 5.04%. This indicates that IXUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXUS | DFAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.22% | 5.04% | +2.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.64% | 10.22% | +4.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.56% | 13.74% | +2.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.45% | 19.16% | -2.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.97% | 19.16% | -2.19% |
IXUS vs. DFAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXUS has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAR's 0.19% 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
IXUS vs. DFAR - Dividend Comparison
IXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, more than DFAR's 2.68% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAR Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | 2.68% | 2.97% | 2.89% | 3.06% | 1.69% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | 2.98% | 3.24% | 3.33% | 3.13% | 2.48% | 3.12% | 1.85% | 3.09% | 3.00% | 2.41% | 2.58% | 2.81% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXUS and DFAR have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXUS has higher volatility (7.22%) compared to DFAR (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXUS dropped -36.22% vs DFAR's -32.27%.
On 3-year performance, IXUS leads with 19.01% vs 11.71% for DFAR. On fees, IXUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, DFAR has been the lower-risk option at 5.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IXUS has performed better with a 19.01% return vs 11.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for DFAR.
IXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 2.68% for DFAR.
IXUS is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DFAR is REIT. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IXUS and 0.19% for DFAR.
IXUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 0.98), 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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