PLTW vs. DFCA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLTW (PLTR WeeklyPay™ ETF) and DFCA (Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTW is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Roundhill, while DFCA is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PLTW returned -0.85% vs 5.05% for DFCA. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. PLTW charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFCA.

Performance

PLTW vs. DFCA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PLTR WeeklyPay™ ETF (PLTW) and Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLTW achieves a -26.21% return, which is significantly lower than DFCA's 1.07% return.

PLTW

• 1D: -7.81%
• 1M: -4.39%
• YTD: -26.21%
• 6M: -26.03%
• 1Y: -0.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFCA

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.07%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 5.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PLTW vs. DFCA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PLTW PLTR WeeklyPay™ ETF	-26.21%	59.45%
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	1.07%	2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTW and DFCA is -0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2025	-0.04

Return for Risk

PLTW vs. DFCA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTW

PLTW Risk / Return Rank: 9
PLTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PLTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
PLTW Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PLTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
PLTW Martin Ratio Rank: 8

DFCA

DFCA Risk / Return Rank: 76
DFCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DFCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFCA Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DFCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
DFCA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

PLTW vs. DFCA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PLTR WeeklyPay™ ETF (PLTW) and Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA). 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.

	PLTW	DFCA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	2.87	-2.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.41	4.24	-3.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.61	-0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.87	-2.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.03	9.29	-9.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTW vs. DFCA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTW Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the DFCA Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTW and DFCA, 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

	PLTW	DFCA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01	2.87	-2.89
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	1.13	-0.94

Drawdowns

PLTW vs. DFCA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTW drawdown since its inception was -46.29%, which is greater than DFCA's maximum drawdown of -3.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTW and DFCA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTW	DFCA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.29%	-3.28%	-43.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.29%	-1.77%	-44.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.64%	-0.52%	-39.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.57%	-0.70%	-18.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	25.21%	0.55%	+24.66%

Volatility

PLTW vs. DFCA - Volatility Comparison

PLTR WeeklyPay™ ETF (PLTW) has a higher volatility of 22.32% compared to Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) at 0.55%. This indicates that PLTW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLTW	DFCA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	22.32%	0.55%	+21.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	46.26%	1.30%	+44.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.73%	1.77%	+59.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.85%	2.48%	+70.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.85%	2.48%	+70.37%

PLTW vs. DFCA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTW has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCA's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTW vs. DFCA - Dividend Comparison

PLTW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 121.30%, more than DFCA's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	2.69%	2.86%	2.86%	1.24%
PLTW PLTR WeeklyPay™ ETF	121.30%	72.40%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLTW and DFCA in my portfolio?

PLTW and DFCA have a correlation of -0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTW or DFCA?

PLTW has higher volatility (22.32%) compared to DFCA (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTW dropped -46.29% vs DFCA's -3.28%.

Which ETF is better, PLTW or DFCA?

On 1-year performance, DFCA leads with 5.05% vs -0.85% for PLTW. On fees, DFCA is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, DFCA has been the lower-risk option at 0.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTW or DFCA?

Over the 1-year period, DFCA has performed better with a 5.05% return vs -0.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTW or DFCA?

DFCA is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for PLTW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PLTW or DFCA?

PLTW has the higher dividend yield at 121.30%, compared with 2.69% for DFCA.

What is the main difference between PLTW and DFCA?

PLTW is categorized as Derivative Income, while DFCA is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for PLTW and 0.19% for DFCA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs -0.01), 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.