TCAF vs. DFCF

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

TCAF (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF) and DFCF (Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TCAF is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while DFCF is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TCAF returned 17.40% vs 5.55% for DFCF. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TCAF charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for DFCF.

Performance

TCAF vs. DFCF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) 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, TCAF achieves a 4.53% return, which is significantly higher than DFCF's -0.06% return.

TCAF

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: -0.52%
• YTD: 4.53%
• 6M: 5.02%
• 1Y: 17.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFCF

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.75%
• YTD: -0.06%
• 6M: 0.27%
• 1Y: 5.55%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TCAF vs. DFCF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TCAF T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF	4.53%	15.45%	20.93%	8.40%
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	-0.06%	7.89%	1.86%	4.21%

Correlation

The correlation between TCAF and DFCF is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2023	0.28

Return for Risk

TCAF vs. DFCF — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCAF

TCAF Risk / Return Rank: 44
TCAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
TCAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
TCAF Omega Ratio Rank: 47
TCAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
TCAF Martin Ratio Rank: 42

DFCF

DFCF Risk / Return Rank: 44
DFCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
DFCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
DFCF Omega Ratio Rank: 43
DFCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DFCF Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

TCAF vs. DFCF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) 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.

	TCAF	DFCF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.42	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	2.07	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.54	2.00	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.15	5.98	+0.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCAF vs. DFCF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCAF Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the DFCF Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCAF 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

	TCAF	DFCF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.42	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.20	0.02	+1.18

Drawdowns

TCAF vs. DFCF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCAF drawdown since its inception was -16.37%, smaller than the maximum DFCF drawdown of -19.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCAF and DFCF.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCAF	DFCF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.37%	-19.56%	+3.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-2.79%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.82%	-1.88%	-0.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.06%	-8.02%	+5.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	0.93%	+1.90%

Volatility

TCAF vs. DFCF - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) has a higher volatility of 3.25% compared to Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) at 1.34%. This indicates that TCAF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCAF	DFCF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	1.34%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.05%	2.94%	+6.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.68%	3.94%	+7.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.98%	6.46%	+7.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.98%	6.46%	+7.52%

TCAF vs. DFCF - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCAF has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCF's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCAF vs. DFCF - Dividend Comparison

TCAF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, less than DFCF's 4.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	4.33%	4.48%	4.61%	4.51%	3.27%	0.16%
TCAF T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF	0.48%	0.50%	0.43%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCAF and DFCF in my portfolio?

TCAF and DFCF have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCAF or DFCF?

TCAF has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to DFCF (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCAF dropped -16.37% vs DFCF's -19.56%.

Which ETF is better, TCAF or DFCF?

On 1-year performance, TCAF leads with 17.40% vs 5.55% for DFCF. On fees, DFCF is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, DFCF has been the lower-risk option at 1.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TCAF or DFCF?

Over the 1-year period, TCAF has performed better with a 17.40% return vs 5.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TCAF or DFCF?

DFCF is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for TCAF.

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

DFCF has the higher dividend yield at 4.33%, compared with 0.48% for TCAF.

What is the main difference between TCAF and DFCF?

TCAF is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DFCF is Intermediate Core Bond. They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for TCAF and 0.17% for DFCF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TCAF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.42), 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.