PRAIX vs. DFAAX
PRAIX (PIMCO Long-Term Real Return Fund) and DFAAX (DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio) are both Inflation-Protected Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, PRAIX returned -7.98%/yr vs 4.28%/yr for DFAAX. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PRAIX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for DFAAX.
Performance
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PRAIX achieves a -4.92% return, which is significantly lower than DFAAX's 1.93% return.
PRAIX
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- -4.61%
- 6M
- -4.26%
- YTD
- -4.92%
- 1Y
- -2.85%
- 3Y*
- -1.40%
- 5Y*
- -7.98%
- 10Y*
- 0.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.50%
DFAAX
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -0.72%
- 6M
- 0.68%
- YTD
- 1.93%
- 1Y
- 3.27%
- 3Y*
- 5.47%
- 5Y*
- 4.28%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.80%
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 |
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRAIX PIMCO Long-Term Real Return Fund | -4.92% | 5.26% | -4.11% | 0.14% | -33.83% | 13.93% |
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio | 1.93% | 5.18% | 4.41% | 9.49% | -13.40% | 20.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between PRAIX and DFAAX is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2021 | 0.71 |
The correlation between PRAIX and DFAAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PRAIX vs. DFAAX — Risk / Return Rank
PRAIX
DFAAX
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Long-Term Real Return Fund (PRAIX) and DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX). 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.
| PRAIX | DFAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.85 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.97 | 1.20 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.23 | 1.25 | -1.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.52 | 4.26 | -4.77 |
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Drawdowns
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PRAIX drawdown since its inception was -43.52%, which is greater than DFAAX's maximum drawdown of -16.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRAIX and DFAAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PRAIX | DFAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.52% | -16.64% | -26.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.70% | -2.55% | -6.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.03% | -3.13% | -9.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.52% | -16.64% | -26.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.52% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -37.43% | -1.10% | -36.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.42% | -4.42% | -6.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.90% | 0.75% | +3.15% |
Volatility
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Volatility Comparison
PIMCO Long-Term Real Return Fund (PRAIX) has a higher volatility of 2.09% compared to DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) at 0.69%. This indicates that PRAIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PRAIX | DFAAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.09% | 0.69% | +1.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.00% | 2.32% | +4.68% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.24% | 2.98% | +6.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.27% | 8.36% | +7.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.95% | 8.20% | +6.75% |
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
PRAIX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAAX's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
PRAIX vs. DFAAX - Dividend Comparison
PRAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.57%, more than DFAAX's 4.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio | 4.61% | 2.90% | 4.09% | 3.96% | 2.06% | 13.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
PRAIX PIMCO Long-Term Real Return Fund | 6.57% | 5.72% | 4.64% | 4.75% | 12.40% | 15.85% | 37.88% | 7.20% | 3.06% | 2.76% | 1.54% | 2.05% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PRAIX and DFAAX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PRAIX has higher volatility (2.09%) compared to DFAAX (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRAIX dropped -43.52% vs DFAAX's -16.64%.
DFAAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs -0.22), 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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