POSIX vs. DFREX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

POSIX (Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund) and DFREX (DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, POSIX returned 4.10%/yr vs 5.68%/yr for DFREX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POSIX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFREX.

Performance

POSIX vs. DFREX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund (POSIX) and DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POSIX achieves a 7.43% return, which is significantly lower than DFREX's 12.74% return. Over the past 10 years, POSIX has underperformed DFREX with an annualized return of 4.10%, while DFREX has yielded a comparatively higher 5.68% annualized return.

POSIX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 7.87%
• 1Y: 9.33%
• 3Y*: 7.74%
• 5Y*: 0.53%
• 10Y*: 4.10%

DFREX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -1.26%
• YTD: 12.74%
• 6M: 13.17%
• 1Y: 12.26%
• 3Y*: 9.38%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 5.68%

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

POSIX vs. DFREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POSIX Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund	7.43%	7.57%	0.67%	10.87%	-26.74%	23.45%	-3.91%	24.53%	-3.35%	14.73%
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	12.74%	1.52%	5.52%	11.20%	-24.93%	41.88%	-5.03%	28.12%	-3.01%	4.25%

Correlation

The correlation between POSIX and DFREX is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2007	0.88

The correlation between POSIX and DFREX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POSIX vs. DFREX — Risk / Return Rank

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

POSIX

POSIX Risk / Return Rank: 10
POSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
POSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
POSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
POSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
POSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

DFREX

DFREX Risk / Return Rank: 15
DFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
DFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
DFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
DFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
DFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

POSIX vs. DFREX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund (POSIX) and DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX). 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.

	POSIX	DFREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	0.90	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.09	1.29	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.16	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	1.46	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.24	4.51	-1.27

POSIX vs. DFREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POSIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is comparable to the DFREX Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POSIX and DFREX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

POSIX vs. DFREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POSIX drawdown since its inception was -68.45%, smaller than the maximum DFREX drawdown of -74.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POSIX and DFREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	POSIX	DFREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.45%	-74.36%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.97%	-8.40%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-17.64%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.15%	-33.11%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.70%	-41.49%	-0.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.49%	-3.19%	-2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.91%	-11.32%	-2.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.71%	+0.07%

Volatility

POSIX vs. DFREX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund (POSIX) is 3.99%, while DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that POSIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POSIX	DFREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	5.02%	-1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.34%	10.22%	-0.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.11%	13.66%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.32%	18.74%	-2.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.01%	20.33%	-3.32%

POSIX vs. DFREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

POSIX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than DFREX's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

POSIX vs. DFREX - Dividend Comparison

POSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, less than DFREX's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	2.57%	2.84%	2.97%	3.59%	6.24%	2.56%	3.36%	2.23%	4.88%	1.89%	2.83%	2.86%
POSIX Principal Global Real Estate Securities Fund	2.45%	2.64%	2.57%	2.63%	1.12%	2.40%	1.13%	6.32%	3.81%	4.16%	3.70%	4.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POSIX and DFREX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, POSIX and DFREX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, POSIX or DFREX?

DFREX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to POSIX (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POSIX dropped -68.45% vs DFREX's -74.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.90 vs 0.75), 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.