VWALX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VWALX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both mutual funds - VWALX is a High Yield Muni fund actively managed by Vanguard, while DCARX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, VWALX returned 1.61%/yr vs 2.55%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWALX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

VWALX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWALX achieves a 2.52% return, which is significantly higher than DCARX's 1.84% return.

VWALX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 2.52%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 8.54%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 1.61%
• 10Y*: 3.07%

DCARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 1.84%
• 6M: 1.84%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 3.15%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

VWALX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	2.52%	5.06%	4.08%	8.45%	-11.69%	3.42%	5.49%	9.58%	1.38%	1.52%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	1.84%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.46%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VWALX and DCARX is -0.01, 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	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2017	0.24

The correlation between VWALX and DCARX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VWALX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWALX

VWALX Risk / Return Rank: 77
VWALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VWALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VWALX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VWALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VWALX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 95
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

VWALX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). 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.

	VWALX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	2.92	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.30	4.82	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.81	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	6.63	-3.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.24	18.02	-7.78

VWALX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWALX and DCARX, 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

VWALX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWALX drawdown since its inception was -17.24%, which is greater than DCARX's maximum drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWALX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWALX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.24%	-12.27%	-4.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-0.47%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.10%	-1.39%	-5.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.24%	-4.79%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.37%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.16%	-0.74%	-1.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.17%	+0.67%

Volatility

VWALX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWALX) has a higher volatility of 0.88% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.36%. This indicates that VWALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWALX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.88%	0.36%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.39%	0.89%	+1.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23%	1.06%	+2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.81%	2.24%	+2.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.64%	2.90%	+1.74%

VWALX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWALX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DCARX'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

VWALX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

VWALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, more than DCARX's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.22%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%
VWALX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	4.12%	5.04%	4.47%	3.59%	3.44%	3.04%	3.40%	4.03%	3.85%	3.77%	3.86%	3.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWALX and DCARX in my portfolio?

VWALX and DCARX have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWALX or DCARX?

VWALX has higher volatility (0.88%) compared to DCARX (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWALX dropped -17.24% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DCARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs 2.65), 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.