VBMFX vs. DFLVX
VBMFX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares) and DFLVX (DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio) are both mutual funds - VBMFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond Index, while DFLVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. VBMFX is passively managed, while DFLVX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBMFX returned 1.18%/yr vs 11.93%/yr for DFLVX. Their -0.12 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. VBMFX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for DFLVX.
Performance
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VBMFX achieves a -0.76% return, which is significantly lower than DFLVX's 18.84% return. Over the past 10 years, VBMFX has underperformed DFLVX with an annualized return of 1.18%, while DFLVX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.93% annualized return.
VBMFX
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- 6M
- -0.98%
- YTD
- -0.76%
- 1Y
- 1.56%
- 3Y*
- 3.58%
- 5Y*
- -0.55%
- 10Y*
- 1.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.28%
DFLVX
- 1D
- 0.67%
- 1M
- 1.90%
- 6M
- 13.48%
- YTD
- 18.84%
- 1Y
- 32.92%
- 3Y*
- 17.16%
- 5Y*
- 12.14%
- 10Y*
- 11.93%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.39%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares | -0.76% | 7.05% | 1.15% | 5.62% | -13.25% | -2.04% | 7.63% | 8.61% | -0.34% | 3.45% |
DFLVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio | 18.84% | 16.36% | 12.76% | 11.52% | -5.81% | 30.40% | -0.58% | 25.46% | -11.68% | 18.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between VBMFX and DFLVX is 0.24, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.10 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 1993 | -0.12 |
The correlation between VBMFX and DFLVX shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VBMFX vs. DFLVX — Risk / Return Rank
VBMFX
DFLVX
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VBMFX) and DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio (DFLVX). 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.
| VBMFX | DFLVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.48 | -0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.95 | 5.21 | -4.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.35 | 19.82 | -17.46 |
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Drawdowns
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VBMFX drawdown since its inception was -19.08%, smaller than the maximum DFLVX drawdown of -65.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBMFX and DFLVX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VBMFX | DFLVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.08% | -65.65% | +46.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.91% | -5.86% | +2.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.88% | -16.64% | +11.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.24% | -19.83% | +1.59% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.08% | -41.79% | +22.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.00% | -0.70% | -3.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.70% | -8.44% | +5.74% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.17% | 1.57% | -0.40% |
Volatility
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VBMFX) is 0.96%, while DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio (DFLVX) has a volatility of 2.54%. This indicates that VBMFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFLVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VBMFX | DFLVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.96% | 2.54% | -1.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.96% | 8.20% | -5.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.82% | 11.23% | -7.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.01% | 15.77% | -9.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.97% | 18.29% | -13.32% |
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VBMFX has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than DFLVX's 0.22% 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
VBMFX vs. DFLVX - Dividend Comparison
VBMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, more than DFLVX's 1.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFLVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio | 1.43% | 1.71% | 1.87% | 3.65% | 4.56% | 5.90% | 1.97% | 4.04% | 7.83% | 6.06% | 3.77% | 6.52% |
VBMFX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Investor Shares | 3.61% | 3.76% | 3.57% | 2.99% | 2.49% | 1.72% | 2.31% | 2.63% | 2.47% | 2.45% | 2.43% | 2.71% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VBMFX and DFLVX have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFLVX has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to VBMFX (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VBMFX dropped -19.08% vs DFLVX's -65.65%.
DFLVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 0.72), 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.
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