VTBIX vs. DFCF
VTBIX (Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund Investor Shares) and DFCF (Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF) are both funds - VTBIX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard, while DFCF is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 3 years, VTBIX returned 3.52%/yr vs 4.66%/yr for DFCF. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTBIX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for DFCF.
Performance
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTBIX achieves a -0.74% return, which is significantly lower than DFCF's -0.42% return.
VTBIX
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- -1.16%
- 6M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- -0.74%
- 1Y
- 1.64%
- 3Y*
- 3.52%
- 5Y*
- -0.61%
- 10Y*
- 1.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.13%
DFCF
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- -1.24%
- 6M
- -0.68%
- YTD
- -0.42%
- 1Y
- 2.24%
- 3Y*
- 4.66%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 0.03%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $59.72M | $50.71M | $53.37M | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTBIX Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund Investor Shares | -0.74% | 7.11% | 1.25% | 5.03% | -13.18% | 0.51% |
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | -0.42% | 7.89% | 1.86% | 6.94% | -14.48% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTBIX and DFCF is 0.89, 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. | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2021 | 0.93 |
The correlation between VTBIX and DFCF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTBIX vs. DFCF — Risk / Return Rank
VTBIX
DFCF
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund Investor Shares (VTBIX) and Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF). 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.
| VTBIX | DFCF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.13 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.00 | 1.08 | -0.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.48 | 2.76 | -0.28 |
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Drawdowns
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTBIX drawdown since its inception was -18.72%, roughly equal to the maximum DFCF drawdown of -19.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTBIX and DFCF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTBIX | DFCF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.72% | -19.56% | +0.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.84% | -2.79% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.93% | -4.53% | -0.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.04% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.72% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.00% | -2.24% | -1.76% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.41% | -7.81% | +3.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.15% | 1.09% | +0.06% |
Volatility
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund Investor Shares (VTBIX) is 1.00%, while Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) has a volatility of 1.08%. This indicates that VTBIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFCF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTBIX | DFCF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.00% | 1.08% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.96% | 3.15% | -0.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.80% | 3.95% | -0.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.95% | 6.40% | -0.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.92% | 6.40% | -1.48% |
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTBIX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFCF's 0.17% 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
VTBIX vs. DFCF - Dividend Comparison
VTBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, less than DFCF's 4.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | 4.41% | 4.48% | 4.61% | 4.51% | 3.27% | 0.16% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTBIX Vanguard Total Bond Market II Index Fund Investor Shares | 3.71% | 3.88% | 3.70% | 2.53% | 2.47% | 1.75% | 3.20% | 2.72% | 2.51% | 2.43% | 2.48% | 2.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTBIX and DFCF have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFCF has higher volatility (1.08%) compared to VTBIX (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTBIX dropped -18.72% vs DFCF's -19.56%.
DFCF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs 0.75), 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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