TAGG vs. DFCF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TAGG (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF) and DFCF (Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, TAGG returned 4.06%/yr vs 4.85%/yr for DFCF. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TAGG charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for DFCF.

Performance

TAGG vs. DFCF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) and Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAGG achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than DFCF's 0.54% return.

TAGG

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 4.52%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFCF

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.56%
• 1Y: 5.32%
• 3Y*: 4.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAGG vs. DFCF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TAGG T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF	0.29%	7.40%	1.73%	5.72%	-12.63%	0.41%
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	0.54%	7.89%	1.86%	6.94%	-14.48%	0.23%

Correlation

The correlation between TAGG and DFCF is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2021	0.92

The correlation between TAGG and DFCF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TAGG vs. DFCF — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAGG

TAGG Risk / Return Rank: 32
TAGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
TAGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
TAGG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
TAGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TAGG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

DFCF

DFCF Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
DFCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
DFCF Omega Ratio Rank: 36
DFCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
DFCF Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

TAGG vs. DFCF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) and Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF). 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.

	TAGG	DFCF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.35	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	1.98	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.23	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	1.92	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.20	5.81	-1.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAGG vs. DFCF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAGG Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is comparable to the DFCF Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAGG and DFCF, 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

	TAGG	DFCF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	1.35	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.04	0.00

Drawdowns

TAGG vs. DFCF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAGG drawdown since its inception was -17.26%, smaller than the maximum DFCF drawdown of -19.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAGG and DFCF.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAGG	DFCF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.26%	-19.56%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.19%	-2.79%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.40%	-5.05%	-1.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-1.30%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-8.03%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.92%	+0.16%

Volatility

TAGG vs. DFCF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) is 1.19%, while Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) has a volatility of 1.36%. This indicates that TAGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFCF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAGG	DFCF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	1.36%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.69%	2.91%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.83%	3.99%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.53%	6.46%	+0.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.53%	6.46%	+0.07%

TAGG vs. DFCF - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAGG has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than DFCF's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

TAGG vs. DFCF - Dividend Comparison

TAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, more than DFCF's 4.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	4.30%	4.48%	4.61%	4.51%	3.27%	0.16%
TAGG T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF	4.58%	4.36%	4.36%	3.48%	3.67%	0.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAGG and DFCF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TAGG and DFCF 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, TAGG or DFCF?

DFCF has higher volatility (1.36%) compared to TAGG (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAGG dropped -17.26% vs DFCF's -19.56%.

Which ETF is better, TAGG or DFCF?

On 3-year performance, DFCF leads with 4.85% vs 4.06% for TAGG. On fees, TAGG is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, TAGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAGG or DFCF?

Over the 3-year period, DFCF has performed better with a 4.85% return vs 4.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAGG or DFCF?

TAGG is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for DFCF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TAGG or DFCF?

TAGG has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 4.30% for DFCF.

What is the main difference between TAGG and DFCF?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for TAGG and 0.17% for DFCF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.21), 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.