VINEX vs. DFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VINEX (Vanguard International Explorer Fund) and DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) are both funds - VINEX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while DFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. Over the past 3 years, VINEX returned 14.17%/yr vs 20.90%/yr for DFAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VINEX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFAX.

Performance

VINEX vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VINEX achieves a 10.34% return, which is significantly lower than DFAX's 15.23% return.

VINEX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 11.80%
• 1Y: 21.62%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 3.39%
• 10Y*: 6.34%

DFAX

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 18.11%
• 1Y: 34.96%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VINEX vs. DFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VINEX Vanguard International Explorer Fund	10.34%	27.98%	0.11%	15.26%	-27.56%	-6.25%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	15.23%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between VINEX and DFAX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.92

The correlation between VINEX and DFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

VINEX vs. DFAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VINEX	DFAX
Industrials	23.2%	16.1%
Financial Services	14.4%	17.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	10.9%
Technology	10.9%	10.9%
Real Estate	8.5%	3.1%
Basic Materials	7.0%	13.2%
Healthcare	6.4%	5.6%
Communication Services	4.1%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	3.9%
Energy	2.9%	6.6%
Utilities	2.7%	4.2%

Return for Risk

VINEX vs. DFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VINEX

VINEX Risk / Return Rank: 25
VINEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
VINEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VINEX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VINEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
VINEX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VINEX vs. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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.

	VINEX	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.37	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	3.17	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	3.16	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.53	12.50	-5.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VINEX vs. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VINEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VINEX and DFAX, 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

	VINEX	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	2.37	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.65	-0.16

Drawdowns

VINEX vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VINEX drawdown since its inception was -62.16%, which is greater than DFAX's maximum drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VINEX and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VINEX	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.16%	-28.15%	-34.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.32%	-11.11%	-1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.72%	-13.89%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-1.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-6.67%	-10.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	2.80%	+0.40%

Volatility

VINEX vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX) is 4.01%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 5.27%. This indicates that VINEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VINEX	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	5.27%	-1.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.93%	12.67%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.65%	14.83%	-0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	15.99%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.22%	15.99%	+1.23%

VINEX vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VINEX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VINEX vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

VINEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than DFAX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.22%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VINEX Vanguard International Explorer Fund	3.80%	4.19%	4.17%	2.47%	1.74%	4.80%	1.06%	2.51%	8.75%	4.22%	1.95%	5.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VINEX and DFAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VINEX and DFAX 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.

Which is riskier, VINEX or DFAX?

DFAX has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to VINEX (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VINEX dropped -62.16% vs DFAX's -28.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.44), 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.