SAGP vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SAGP (Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both Global Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SAGP returned 15.15%/yr vs 18.45%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SAGP charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

SAGP vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF (SAGP) 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, SAGP achieves a 3.74% return, which is significantly lower than DFAI's 10.08% return.

SAGP

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 3.74%
• 6M: 6.16%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 15.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 6M: 13.37%
• 1Y: 24.79%
• 3Y*: 18.45%
• 5Y*: 9.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

SAGP vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SAGP Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF	3.74%	23.02%	12.03%	11.26%	-4.65%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	10.08%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-9.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SAGP and DFAI is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 26, 2022	0.81

The correlation between SAGP and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

SAGP vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SAGP	DFAI
Healthcare	17.8%	8.8%
Industrials	16.8%	19.5%
Technology	15.2%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.1%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	6.4%
Financial Services	5.8%	22.5%
Communication Services	5.3%	3.7%
Basic Materials	2.6%	8.8%
Energy	2.1%	6.8%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.5%
Utilities	-	4.0%

Return for Risk

SAGP vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAGP

SAGP Risk / Return Rank: 33
SAGP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SAGP Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SAGP Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SAGP Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
SAGP Martin Ratio Rank: 33

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 51
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
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.

SAGP vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF (SAGP) 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.

	SAGP	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	1.77	-0.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	2.50	-0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.32	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	2.39	-0.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.10	9.42	-4.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAGP vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAGP Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is lower than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAGP 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

	SAGP	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	1.77	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.79	-0.14

Drawdowns

SAGP vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAGP drawdown since its inception was -22.90%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAGP and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAGP	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.90%	-27.44%	+4.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-10.95%	+2.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.52%	-13.25%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.59%	-0.78%	-3.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.03%	-5.13%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	2.78%	+0.30%

Volatility

SAGP vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF (SAGP) is 3.20%, while Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) has a volatility of 4.57%. This indicates that SAGP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SAGP	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.20%	4.57%	-1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	11.66%	-1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.96%	14.08%	-1.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.53%	15.92%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.53%	15.70%	-0.17%

SAGP vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAGP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAGP vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

SAGP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more 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%
SAGP Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF	3.33%	3.45%	2.23%	0.94%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SAGP and DFAI in my portfolio?

SAGP and DFAI have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAGP or DFAI?

DFAI has higher volatility (4.57%) compared to SAGP (3.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAGP dropped -22.90% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, SAGP or DFAI?

On 3-year performance, DFAI leads with 18.45% vs 15.15% for SAGP. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SAGP has been the lower-risk option at 3.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SAGP or DFAI?

Over the 3-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 18.45% return vs 15.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SAGP or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SAGP.

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

SAGP has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 2.24% for DFAI.

What is the main difference between SAGP and DFAI?

They also come from different issuers: Strategas and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SAGP and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.22), 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.