MFAAX vs. DFFGX
MFAAX (American Funds Mortgage Fund) and DFFGX (DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, MFAAX returned 1.02%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for DFFGX. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MFAAX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFFGX.
Performance
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MFAAX achieves a -1.64% return, which is significantly lower than DFFGX's 1.79% return. Over the past 10 years, MFAAX has underperformed DFFGX with an annualized return of 1.02%, while DFFGX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.21% annualized return.
MFAAX
- 1D
- -0.46%
- 1M
- -1.60%
- 6M
- -1.64%
- YTD
- -1.64%
- 1Y
- 1.22%
- 3Y*
- 3.47%
- 5Y*
- -0.37%
- 10Y*
- 1.02%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.58%
DFFGX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- 6M
- 1.48%
- YTD
- 1.79%
- 1Y
- 3.51%
- 3Y*
- 4.13%
- 5Y*
- 1.83%
- 10Y*
- 1.21%
- ALL TIME*
- 24.61%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFAAX American Funds Mortgage Fund | -1.64% | 8.46% | 0.55% | 2.87% | -10.52% | -0.64% | 6.59% | 4.70% | 0.49% | 1.35% |
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio | 1.79% | 3.12% | 5.29% | 5.01% | -4.41% | -1.27% | 0.39% | 2.52% | 1.17% | 0.51% |
Correlation
The correlation between MFAAX and DFFGX is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.42 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2010 | 0.51 |
The correlation between MFAAX and DFFGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.10 (3 years) to 0.51 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MFAAX vs. DFFGX — Risk / Return Rank
MFAAX
DFFGX
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Mortgage Fund (MFAAX) and DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX). 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.
| MFAAX | DFFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.77 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -6.85 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 3.47 | -2.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.72 | 11.83 | -11.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.83 | 74.15 | -72.32 |
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Drawdowns
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MFAAX drawdown since its inception was -16.60%, which is greater than DFFGX's maximum drawdown of -6.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFAAX and DFFGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MFAAX | DFFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.60% | -6.49% | -10.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.33% | -0.30% | -3.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.25% | -1.19% | -5.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.47% | -6.31% | -10.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.60% | -6.49% | -10.11% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.15% | 0.00% | -3.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.62% | -0.76% | -1.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.30% | 0.05% | +1.25% |
Volatility
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Volatility Comparison
American Funds Mortgage Fund (MFAAX) has a higher volatility of 1.14% compared to DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) at 0.34%. This indicates that MFAAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFFGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MFAAX | DFFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.14% | 0.34% | +0.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.23% | 0.70% | +2.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.02% | 0.81% | +3.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.43% | 1.84% | +4.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.85% | 1.55% | +3.30% |
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MFAAX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than DFFGX's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
MFAAX vs. DFFGX - Dividend Comparison
MFAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, more than DFFGX's 3.77% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio | 3.77% | 2.98% | 4.87% | 3.57% | 1.85% | 0.15% | 0.29% | 1.83% | 1.53% | 1.18% | 0.99% | 1.27% |
MFAAX American Funds Mortgage Fund | 3.84% | 4.18% | 4.49% | 3.24% | 1.36% | 0.33% | 4.38% | 2.90% | 1.77% | 1.65% | 2.34% | 2.44% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MFAAX and DFFGX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MFAAX has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to DFFGX (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFAAX dropped -16.60% vs DFFGX's -6.49%.
DFFGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.37 vs 0.60), 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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