VZICX vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VZICX (Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both funds - VZICX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while DFAI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, VZICX returned 11.97%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VZICX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

VZICX vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VZICX) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VZICX achieves a 14.91% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 9.16% return.

VZICX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 17.48%
• 1Y: 35.85%
• 3Y*: 23.32%
• 5Y*: 11.97%
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 24.65%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

VZICX vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VZICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares	14.91%	38.55%	8.74%	14.35%	-10.62%	11.85%	6.31%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.16%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	6.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VZICX and DFAI is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.94

The correlation between VZICX and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VZICX vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VZICX

VZICX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VZICX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VZICX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VZICX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VZICX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
VZICX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VZICX vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VZICX) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	VZICX	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	1.76	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	2.49	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.32	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	2.26	+1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	8.87	+3.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VZICX vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VZICX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is higher than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VZICX and DFAI, 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

	VZICX	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	1.76	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.59	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.78	-0.03

Drawdowns

VZICX vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VZICX drawdown since its inception was -34.37%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VZICX and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VZICX	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.37%	-27.44%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.81%	-10.95%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.30%	-13.25%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.89%	-27.44%	+2.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.61%	+1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-5.12%	-0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	2.79%	-0.04%

Volatility

VZICX vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares (VZICX) has a higher volatility of 4.77% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.45%. This indicates that VZICX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VZICX	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.77%	4.45%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	11.68%	+0.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.60%	14.08%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.28%	15.92%	-0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	15.70%	+2.22%

VZICX vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VZICX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

VZICX vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

VZICX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, more than DFAI's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.26%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%
VZICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Admiral Shares	3.84%	4.41%	2.65%	2.20%	2.10%	4.37%	1.89%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VZICX and DFAI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VZICX and DFAI 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, VZICX or DFAI?

VZICX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to DFAI (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VZICX dropped -34.37% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VZICX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.76), 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.