VTMFX vs. DMREX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) and DMREX (DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both mutual funds - VTMFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Composite benchmark: Russell 1000 Index and Bloomberg 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index, while DMREX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, VTMFX returned 8.70%/yr vs 2.79%/yr for DMREX. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VTMFX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DMREX.

Performance

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) and DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTMFX achieves a 5.23% return, which is significantly higher than DMREX's 2.05% return. Over the past 10 years, VTMFX has outperformed DMREX with an annualized return of 8.70%, while DMREX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.79% annualized return.

VTMFX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 4.83%
• 1Y: 14.99%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 8.70%

DMREX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 2.05%
• 6M: 2.14%
• 1Y: 3.21%
• 3Y*: 3.21%
• 5Y*: 2.53%
• 10Y*: 2.79%

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

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	5.23%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%
DMREX DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.05%	2.77%	3.10%	2.56%	-1.42%	6.75%	4.11%	6.64%	-0.51%	2.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VTMFX and DMREX is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.24

The correlation between VTMFX and DMREX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.25 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTMFX vs. DMREX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

DMREX

DMREX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DMREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DMREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DMREX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) and DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX). 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.

	VTMFX	DMREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	3.26	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	5.48	-2.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.95	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	6.34	-3.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.60	14.56	-0.96

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTMFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the DMREX Sharpe Ratio of 3.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTMFX and DMREX, 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

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTMFX drawdown since its inception was -28.49%, which is greater than DMREX's maximum drawdown of -13.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTMFX and DMREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTMFX	DMREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.49%	-13.22%	-15.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.38%	-0.51%	-4.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.61%	-2.48%	-8.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.40%	-5.33%	-12.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.87%	-13.22%	-8.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.28%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.54%	-0.87%	-2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.15%	0.22%	+0.93%

Volatility

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) has a higher volatility of 2.45% compared to DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DMREX) at 0.27%. This indicates that VTMFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DMREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTMFX	DMREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.45%	0.27%	+2.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.18%	0.77%	+4.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.46%	0.99%	+5.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.57%	2.45%	+6.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.15%	3.14%	+6.01%

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTMFX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than DMREX's 0.24% 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

VTMFX vs. DMREX - Dividend Comparison

VTMFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than DMREX's 3.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DMREX DFA Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.25%	2.95%	3.55%	1.96%	1.16%	0.98%	1.44%	2.26%	1.54%	1.32%	1.15%	1.09%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.12%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTMFX and DMREX in my portfolio?

VTMFX and DMREX have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTMFX or DMREX?

VTMFX has higher volatility (2.45%) compared to DMREX (0.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTMFX dropped -28.49% vs DMREX's -13.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DMREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.26 vs 2.43), 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.