SFREX vs. DFGEX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SFREX (Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund) and DFGEX (DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, SFREX returned 3.49%/yr vs 3.79%/yr for DFGEX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SFREX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for DFGEX.

Performance

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund (SFREX) and DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SFREX achieves a 4.62% return, which is significantly lower than DFGEX's 7.74% return. Over the past 10 years, SFREX has underperformed DFGEX with an annualized return of 3.49%, while DFGEX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.79% annualized return.

SFREX

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -1.73%
• YTD: 4.62%
• 6M: 3.99%
• 1Y: 11.70%
• 3Y*: 9.47%
• 5Y*: -0.41%
• 10Y*: 3.49%

DFGEX

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -1.48%
• YTD: 7.74%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 9.95%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: 1.88%
• 10Y*: 3.79%

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

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFREX Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund	4.62%	11.26%	3.05%	4.10%	-21.06%	18.56%	-11.16%	22.61%	-8.26%	20.07%
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio	7.74%	7.92%	1.92%	9.54%	-23.84%	31.03%	-6.71%	26.32%	-4.12%	5.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SFREX and DFGEX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.88

The correlation between SFREX and DFGEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFREX vs. DFGEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFREX

SFREX Risk / Return Rank: 12
SFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
SFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
SFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
SFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

DFGEX

DFGEX Risk / Return Rank: 12
DFGEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
DFGEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DFGEX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DFGEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
DFGEX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund (SFREX) and DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX). 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.

	SFREX	DFGEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	0.90	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.29	+0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.16	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	1.27	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.37	4.50	-1.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFREX Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is comparable to the DFGEX Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFREX and DFGEX, 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

	SFREX	DFGEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.01	0.90	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02	0.12	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20	0.22	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.33	-0.14

Drawdowns

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFREX drawdown since its inception was -41.98%, roughly equal to the maximum DFGEX drawdown of -42.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFREX and DFGEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFREX	DFGEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.98%	-42.67%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-9.04%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.54%	-17.37%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.18%	-32.78%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.98%	-42.67%	+0.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.30%	-2.59%	-2.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.45%	-9.65%	-0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	2.56%	+1.05%

Volatility

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund (SFREX) has a higher volatility of 3.63% compared to DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) at 3.45%. This indicates that SFREX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFGEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFREX	DFGEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	3.45%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.15%	8.64%	+0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	11.70%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.38%	16.28%	+0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	17.71%	+0.25%

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFREX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than DFGEX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFREX vs. DFGEX - Dividend Comparison

SFREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, less than DFGEX's 3.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio	3.78%	4.07%	3.78%	3.36%	5.70%	4.50%	2.29%	6.95%	5.09%	0.64%	0.32%	2.45%
SFREX Schwab Fundamental Global Real Estate Index Fund	3.35%	3.51%	3.75%	3.53%	2.89%	2.92%	3.46%	4.10%	5.45%	2.78%	5.00%	1.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFREX and DFGEX in my portfolio?

SFREX and DFGEX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFREX or DFGEX?

SFREX has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to DFGEX (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFREX dropped -41.98% vs DFGEX's -42.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.90), 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.