VGIT vs. DFEV
VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and DFEV (Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while DFEV is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Dimensional. VGIT is passively managed, while DFEV is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VGIT returned 3.40%/yr vs 22.74%/yr for DFEV. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for DFEV.
Performance
VGIT vs. DFEV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGIT achieves a -0.78% return, which is significantly lower than DFEV's 22.81% return.
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- -0.78%
- 6M
- -0.42%
- 1Y
- 3.55%
- 3Y*
- 3.40%
- 5Y*
- -0.07%
- 10Y*
- 1.16%
DFEV
- 1D
- 1.62%
- 1M
- -2.01%
- YTD
- 22.81%
- 6M
- 25.32%
- 1Y
- 46.17%
- 3Y*
- 22.74%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGIT vs. DFEV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.78% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -3.81% |
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 22.81% | 32.54% | 7.26% | 15.52% | -6.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGIT and DFEV is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2022 | 0.13 |
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Return for Risk
VGIT vs. DFEV — Risk / Return Rank
VGIT
DFEV
VGIT vs. DFEV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV). 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.
| VGIT | DFEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.47 | -0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.26 | 4.09 | -2.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.66 | 15.04 | -11.38 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGIT | DFEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08 | 2.52 | -1.45 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.01 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.26 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 1.00 | -0.51 |
Drawdowns
VGIT vs. DFEV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, smaller than the maximum DFEV drawdown of -18.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and DFEV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGIT | DFEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.05% | -18.49% | +2.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.83% | -11.35% | +8.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.34% | -17.94% | +13.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.02% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.05% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.71% | -6.42% | +3.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.52% | -4.65% | +1.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 3.08% | -2.11% |
Volatility
VGIT vs. DFEV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is 1.05%, while Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) has a volatility of 9.67%. This indicates that VGIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGIT | DFEV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 9.67% | -8.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.36% | 16.20% | -13.84% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.32% | 18.42% | -15.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.38% | 16.68% | -11.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.50% | 16.68% | -12.18% |
VGIT vs. DFEV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEV's 0.43% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGIT vs. DFEV - Dividend Comparison
VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.88%, more than DFEV's 2.13% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 2.13% | 2.69% | 3.17% | 3.47% | 3.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.88% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGIT and DFEV have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFEV has higher volatility (9.67%) compared to VGIT (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs DFEV's -18.49%.
On 3-year performance, DFEV leads with 22.74% vs 3.40% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFEV has performed better with a 22.74% return vs 3.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DFEV.
VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 2.13% for DFEV.
VGIT is categorized as Government Bonds, while DFEV is Emerging Markets Diversified. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGIT and 0.43% for DFEV.
DFEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.08), 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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