USIG vs. DFAPX
USIG (iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and DFAPX (DFA Investment Grade Portfolio) are both funds - USIG is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US Corporate, while DFAPX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, USIG returned 2.31%/yr vs 1.79%/yr for DFAPX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. USIG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for DFAPX.
Performance
USIG vs. DFAPX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USIG achieves a -0.49% return, which is significantly lower than DFAPX's -0.17% return. Over the past 10 years, USIG has outperformed DFAPX with an annualized return of 2.31%, while DFAPX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.79% annualized return.
USIG
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- -1.51%
- 6M
- -0.85%
- YTD
- -0.49%
- 1Y
- 2.04%
- 3Y*
- 5.08%
- 5Y*
- 0.00%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.85%
DFAPX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -1.09%
- 6M
- -0.36%
- YTD
- -0.17%
- 1Y
- 2.02%
- 3Y*
- 4.26%
- 5Y*
- 0.03%
- 10Y*
- 1.79%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.14%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $98.77M | $106.12M | $96.97M |
USIG vs. DFAPX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | -0.49% | 7.86% | 2.56% | 8.71% | -15.30% | -1.34% | 9.44% | 13.99% | -2.21% | 5.75% |
DFAPX DFA Investment Grade Portfolio | -0.17% | 7.22% | 1.81% | 6.84% | -12.92% | -1.57% | 9.19% | 9.97% | -0.24% | 3.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between USIG and DFAPX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.92 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012 | 0.85 |
The correlation between USIG and DFAPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
USIG vs. DFAPX — Risk / Return Rank
USIG
DFAPX
USIG vs. DFAPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG) and DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX). 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.
| USIG | DFAPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.13 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.01 | 1.07 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.91 | 2.63 | +0.28 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
USIG vs. DFAPX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USIG drawdown since its inception was -22.21%, which is greater than DFAPX's maximum drawdown of -18.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USIG and DFAPX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| USIG | DFAPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.21% | -18.30% | -3.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.79% | -2.66% | -0.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.97% | -4.69% | -0.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.45% | -18.22% | -3.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.45% | -18.30% | -3.15% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.00% | -2.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.40% | -3.45% | +0.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 1.08% | -0.11% |
Volatility
USIG vs. DFAPX - Volatility Comparison
iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG) and DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX) have volatilities of 1.06% and 1.04%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| USIG | DFAPX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.06% | 1.04% | +0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.22% | 2.92% | +0.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.07% | 3.82% | +0.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.81% | 5.82% | +0.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.82% | 4.89% | +1.93% |
USIG vs. DFAPX - Expense Ratio Comparison
USIG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAPX's 0.20% 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
USIG vs. DFAPX - Dividend Comparison
USIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%, more than DFAPX's 4.06% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAPX DFA Investment Grade Portfolio | 4.06% | 3.78% | 3.79% | 3.31% | 2.62% | 3.31% | 2.14% | 2.59% | 2.67% | 2.21% | 2.12% | 2.45% |
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 4.42% | 4.62% | 4.51% | 3.94% | 3.14% | 2.33% | 2.82% | 3.37% | 3.44% | 3.03% | 2.87% | 3.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, USIG and DFAPX 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.
USIG has higher volatility (1.06%) compared to DFAPX (1.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USIG dropped -22.21% vs DFAPX's -18.30%.
DFAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.70), 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.
Find the right allocation for USIG and DFAPX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer