TSDJX vs. DFCFX

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

TSDJX (TIAA-CREF Short Duration Impact Bond Fund) and DFCFX (DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 5 years, TSDJX returned 2.35%/yr vs 3.84%/yr for DFCFX. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TSDJX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.21%/yr for DFCFX.

Performance

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Short Duration Impact Bond Fund (TSDJX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSDJX achieves a 0.88% return, which is significantly lower than DFCFX's 1.71% return.

TSDJX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.02%
• 6M: 0.99%
• YTD: 0.88%
• 1Y: 3.78%
• 3Y*: 5.05%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: —

DFCFX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.09%
• 6M: 1.50%
• YTD: 1.71%
• 1Y: 3.71%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: 3.84%
• 10Y*: 2.50%

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

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
TSDJX TIAA-CREF Short Duration Impact Bond Fund	0.88%	5.93%	5.24%	4.49%	-4.16%	0.22%	4.59%	5.25%	0.27%
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	1.71%	2.28%	5.33%	4.92%	-3.28%	8.60%	0.57%	2.65%	0.68%

Correlation

The correlation between TSDJX and DFCFX is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2018	0.29

The correlation between TSDJX and DFCFX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (3 years) to 0.33 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TSDJX vs. DFCFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSDJX

TSDJX Risk / Return Rank: 90
TSDJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
TSDJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
TSDJX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
TSDJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
TSDJX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

DFCFX

DFCFX Risk / Return Rank: 100
DFCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Short Duration Impact Bond Fund (TSDJX) and DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX). 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.

	TSDJX	DFCFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	5.39	-3.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.00	12.29	-8.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	6.26	-4.75
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.73	18.11	-14.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.36	125.46	-110.11

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSDJX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is lower than the DFCFX Sharpe Ratio of 5.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSDJX and DFCFX, 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

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSDJX drawdown since its inception was -6.31%, which is greater than DFCFX's maximum drawdown of -4.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSDJX and DFCFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSDJX	DFCFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.31%	-4.27%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.02%	-0.21%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.02%	-1.33%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.96%	-4.27%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-4.27%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.21%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.12%	-0.26%	-0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	0.03%	+0.22%

Volatility

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Short Duration Impact Bond Fund (TSDJX) has a higher volatility of 0.47% compared to DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) at 0.38%. This indicates that TSDJX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSDJX	DFCFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.47%	0.38%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.29%	0.54%	+0.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83%	0.70%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.16%	4.39%	-2.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.15%	3.13%	-0.98%

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSDJX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCFX's 0.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSDJX vs. DFCFX - Dividend Comparison

TSDJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.04%, more than DFCFX's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	3.87%	2.16%	4.90%	3.43%	1.32%	8.29%	0.67%	2.22%	1.87%	1.22%	0.79%	0.53%
TSDJX TIAA-CREF Short Duration Impact Bond Fund	4.04%	4.39%	4.67%	3.41%	2.00%	2.00%	3.00%	3.63%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSDJX and DFCFX in my portfolio?

TSDJX and DFCFX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSDJX or DFCFX?

TSDJX has higher volatility (0.47%) compared to DFCFX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSDJX dropped -6.31% vs DFCFX's -4.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.39 vs 2.09), 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.