NXTE vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NXTE (Axs Green Alpha ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NXTE is a Global Equities fund actively managed by AXS, while DFAI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, NXTE returned 18.45%/yr vs 18.70%/yr for DFAI. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NXTE charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

NXTE vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Axs Green Alpha ETF (NXTE) 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, NXTE achieves a 35.18% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 10.08% return.

NXTE

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 14.44%
• YTD: 35.18%
• 6M: 33.52%
• 1Y: 62.19%
• 3Y*: 18.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 6M: 12.41%
• 1Y: 25.22%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

NXTE vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
NXTE Axs Green Alpha ETF	35.18%	21.84%	-3.42%	13.85%	-1.33%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	10.08%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	16.23%

Correlation

The correlation between NXTE and DFAI is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2022	0.73

The correlation between NXTE and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

NXTE vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NXTE	DFAI
Technology	48.5%	9.3%
Industrials	17.6%	19.5%
Healthcare	11.3%	8.8%
Real Estate	10.9%	1.5%
Consumer Cyclical	4.1%	8.6%
Utilities	2.2%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	6.4%
Communication Services	1.9%	3.7%
Financial Services	1.5%	22.5%
Basic Materials	0.5%	8.8%
Energy	-	6.8%

Return for Risk

NXTE vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

NXTE

NXTE Risk / Return Rank: 78
NXTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
NXTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
NXTE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
NXTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
NXTE Martin Ratio Rank: 77

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 52
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

NXTE vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Axs Green Alpha ETF (NXTE) 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.

	NXTE	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	1.80	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	2.54	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.32	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.57	2.31	+2.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.64	9.08	+5.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NXTE vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NXTE Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is higher than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NXTE 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

	NXTE	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.55	1.80	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.79	-0.13

Drawdowns

NXTE vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NXTE drawdown since its inception was -28.64%, roughly equal to the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NXTE and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NXTE	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.64%	-27.44%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.68%	-10.95%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.24%	-13.25%	-13.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-0.78%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-5.12%	-2.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.26%	2.79%	+1.47%

Volatility

NXTE vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Axs Green Alpha ETF (NXTE) has a higher volatility of 9.29% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.39%. This indicates that NXTE'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

	NXTE	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.29%	4.39%	+4.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.31%	11.71%	+7.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.52%	14.07%	+10.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.98%	15.92%	+10.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.98%	15.70%	+10.28%

NXTE vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NXTE has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

NXTE vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

NXTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than DFAI's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.24%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%
NXTE Axs Green Alpha ETF	0.37%	0.36%	0.52%	0.76%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NXTE and DFAI in my portfolio?

NXTE and DFAI have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NXTE or DFAI?

NXTE has higher volatility (9.29%) compared to DFAI (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NXTE dropped -28.64% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, NXTE or DFAI?

On 3-year performance, DFAI leads with 18.70% vs 18.45% for NXTE. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NXTE or DFAI?

Over the 3-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 18.70% return vs 18.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NXTE or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for NXTE.

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

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.24%, compared with 0.37% for NXTE.

What is the main difference between NXTE and DFAI?

NXTE is categorized as Global Equities, while DFAI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: AXS and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for NXTE and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NXTE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.80), 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.