TMF vs. DFIVX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

TMF (Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF) and DFIVX (DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class) are both funds - TMF is a Leveraged Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (300%), while DFIVX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. TMF is passively managed, while DFIVX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, TMF returned -16.93%/yr vs 12.41%/yr for DFIVX. At a correlation of -0.25, they often move in opposite directions. TMF charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DFIVX.

Performance

TMF vs. DFIVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) and DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMF achieves a -5.18% return, which is significantly lower than DFIVX's 12.49% return. Over the past 10 years, TMF has underperformed DFIVX with an annualized return of -16.93%, while DFIVX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.41% annualized return.

TMF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 7.62%
• YTD: -5.18%
• 6M: -5.24%
• 1Y: -1.79%
• 3Y*: -20.85%
• 5Y*: -30.62%
• 10Y*: -16.93%

DFIVX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 12.49%
• 6M: 13.52%
• 1Y: 35.31%
• 3Y*: 23.46%
• 5Y*: 14.18%
• 10Y*: 12.41%

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

TMF vs. DFIVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF	-5.18%	-2.94%	-35.95%	-13.01%	-72.60%	-19.80%	39.02%	34.75%	-11.01%	22.72%
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	12.49%	45.24%	6.87%	17.83%	-3.51%	18.57%	-2.13%	15.68%	-17.49%	26.08%

Correlation

The correlation between TMF and DFIVX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2009	-0.25

The correlation between TMF and DFIVX shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TMF vs. DFIVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMF

TMF Risk / Return Rank: 9
TMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Omega Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
TMF Martin Ratio Rank: 8

DFIVX

DFIVX Risk / Return Rank: 82
DFIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DFIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
DFIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
DFIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

TMF vs. DFIVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) and DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX). 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.

	TMF	DFIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.06	2.41	-2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.11	3.25	-3.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.43	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.07	3.58	-3.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.15	13.95	-14.09

TMF vs. DFIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMF Sharpe Ratio is -0.06, which is lower than the DFIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMF and DFIVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

TMF vs. DFIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMF drawdown since its inception was -92.89%, which is greater than DFIVX's maximum drawdown of -66.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMF and DFIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMF	DFIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.89%	-66.61%	-26.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.51%	-9.58%	-16.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-56.31%	-14.39%	-41.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.81%	-25.29%	-63.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.89%	-48.11%	-44.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.15%	-0.74%	-91.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.71%	-12.23%	-31.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.01%	2.46%	+9.55%

Volatility

TMF vs. DFIVX - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF (TMF) has a higher volatility of 8.43% compared to DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX) at 4.52%. This indicates that TMF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFIVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMF	DFIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.43%	4.52%	+3.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.46%	11.41%	+8.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.14%	14.27%	+13.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	46.73%	16.36%	+30.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.93%	18.00%	+25.93%

TMF vs. DFIVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMF has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIVX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMF vs. DFIVX - Dividend Comparison

TMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, more than DFIVX's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	3.74%	4.21%	3.94%	4.40%	3.78%	4.37%	2.42%	3.70%	6.60%	2.85%	3.36%	3.45%
TMF Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bull 3X ETF	4.11%	4.06%	4.29%	2.82%	1.62%	0.13%	2.23%	0.94%	1.49%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMF and DFIVX in my portfolio?

TMF and DFIVX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMF or DFIVX?

TMF has higher volatility (8.43%) compared to DFIVX (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMF dropped -92.89% vs DFIVX's -66.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs -0.06), 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.