VGAVX vs. DFFGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGAVX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares) and DFFGX (DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, VGAVX returned 3.70%/yr vs 1.23%/yr for DFFGX. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGAVX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFFGX.

Performance

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) and DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGAVX achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly higher than DFFGX's 1.38% return. Over the past 10 years, VGAVX has outperformed DFFGX with an annualized return of 3.70%, while DFFGX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.23% annualized return.

VGAVX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 1.95%
• 1Y: 11.27%
• 3Y*: 9.73%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 3.70%

DFFGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 2.79%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 1.83%
• 10Y*: 1.23%

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

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.65%	12.98%	6.27%	10.44%	-16.68%	-1.74%	5.82%	14.01%	-2.77%	8.45%
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	1.38%	3.12%	5.29%	5.01%	-4.41%	-1.27%	0.39%	2.52%	1.17%	0.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VGAVX and DFFGX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.18

The correlation between VGAVX and DFFGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (3 years) to 0.24 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VGAVX vs. DFFGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGAVX

VGAVX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VGAVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VGAVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VGAVX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
VGAVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VGAVX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

DFFGX

DFFGX Risk / Return Rank: 62
DFFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
DFFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
DFFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DFFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) and DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX). 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.

	VGAVX	DFFGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	2.33	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.44	2.70	+1.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	2.73	-1.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	2.83	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.71	10.57	+1.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGAVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is comparable to the DFFGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGAVX and DFFGX, 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

	VGAVX	DFFGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82	2.33	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	1.00	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.79	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.21	+0.48

Drawdowns

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGAVX drawdown since its inception was -26.77%, which is greater than DFFGX's maximum drawdown of -6.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGAVX and DFFGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGAVX	DFFGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.77%	-6.49%	-20.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.97%	-1.00%	-2.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.11%	-1.19%	-5.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.77%	-6.49%	-20.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.77%	-6.49%	-20.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.10%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.68%	-0.77%	-3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	0.27%	+0.72%

Volatility

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGAVX) has a higher volatility of 1.53% compared to DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) at 0.35%. This indicates that VGAVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFFGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGAVX	DFFGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.53%	0.35%	+1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.32%	0.52%	+2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12%	1.21%	+2.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.32%	1.84%	+4.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.37%	1.56%	+4.81%

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGAVX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than DFFGX's 0.18% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VGAVX vs. DFFGX - Dividend Comparison

VGAVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.79%, more than DFFGX's 2.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	2.84%	2.98%	4.87%	3.57%	1.85%	0.15%	0.29%	1.83%	1.53%	1.18%	0.99%	1.27%
VGAVX Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.79%	5.88%	6.56%	5.50%	5.29%	4.27%	4.20%	4.60%	4.54%	4.62%	4.73%	4.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGAVX and DFFGX in my portfolio?

VGAVX and DFFGX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGAVX or DFFGX?

VGAVX has higher volatility (1.53%) compared to DFFGX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGAVX dropped -26.77% vs DFFGX's -6.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGAVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 2.33), 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.