VTIIX vs. DGSFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VTIIX (Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class) and DGSFX (DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio) are both Global Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, VTIIX returned 0.40%/yr vs -0.12%/yr for DGSFX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTIIX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DGSFX.

Performance

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX) and DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio (DGSFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIIX achieves a 1.13% return, which is significantly lower than DGSFX's 1.62% return.

VTIIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: 1.13%
• 6M: 1.47%
• 1Y: 2.35%
• 3Y*: 4.35%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: —

DGSFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 1.94%
• 1Y: 3.17%
• 3Y*: 4.84%
• 5Y*: -0.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VTIIX Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class	1.13%	2.95%	3.82%	8.72%	-13.03%	-0.52%
DGSFX DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio	1.62%	3.80%	2.60%	9.67%	-15.61%	-0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIIX and DGSFX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2021	0.86

The correlation between VTIIX and DGSFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTIIX vs. DGSFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIIX

VTIIX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VTIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VTIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VTIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VTIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VTIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

DGSFX

DGSFX Risk / Return Rank: 12
DGSFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
DGSFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
DGSFX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
DGSFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
DGSFX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX) and DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio (DGSFX). 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.

	VTIIX	DGSFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	0.93	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	1.34	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.17	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	1.14	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.18	3.10	-0.92

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is comparable to the DGSFX Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIIX and DGSFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIIX drawdown since its inception was -15.95%, smaller than the maximum DGSFX drawdown of -21.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIIX and DGSFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIIX	DGSFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.95%	-21.57%	+5.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.94%	-2.91%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.94%	-3.68%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.95%	-21.29%	+5.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-2.89%	+2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.00%	-6.57%	+0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	1.06%	+0.02%

Volatility

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class (VTIIX) has a higher volatility of 1.03% compared to DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio (DGSFX) at 0.94%. This indicates that VTIIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGSFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIIX	DGSFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.03%	0.94%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.72%	2.73%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.19%	3.57%	-0.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.54%	5.34%	-0.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.43%	4.87%	-0.44%

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than DGSFX's 0.26% 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

VTIIX vs. DGSFX - Dividend Comparison

VTIIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, more than DGSFX's 3.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DGSFX DFA Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio	3.52%	3.02%	4.26%	4.09%	1.97%	1.15%	1.72%	3.37%	0.24%
VTIIX Vanguard Total International Bond II Index Fund Investor Class	4.28%	4.21%	4.46%	4.16%	0.89%	0.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIIX and DGSFX in my portfolio?

VTIIX and DGSFX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIIX or DGSFX?

VTIIX has higher volatility (1.03%) compared to DGSFX (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIIX dropped -15.95% vs DGSFX's -21.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGSFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.74), 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.