WRND vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

WRND (IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WRND is a Global Equities fund tracking the IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders Index - Benchmark TR Net, while DFAI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. WRND is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, WRND returned 20.25%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.18% expense ratio.

Performance

WRND vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) 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, WRND achieves a 10.19% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 9.26% return.

WRND

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -4.26%
• YTD: 10.19%
• 6M: 9.65%
• 1Y: 28.80%
• 3Y*: 20.25%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.98%
• YTD: 9.26%
• 6M: 8.66%
• 1Y: 24.42%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 9.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

WRND vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
WRND IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF	10.19%	27.72%	13.46%	34.85%	-19.17%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.26%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-11.11%

Correlation

The correlation between WRND and DFAI is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2022	0.83

The correlation between WRND and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

WRND vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WRND	DFAI
Technology	52.8%	7.8%
Industrials	12.9%	17.2%
Communication Services	12.4%	4.3%
Healthcare	11.3%	11.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	5.3%
Basic Materials	0.9%	10.8%
Energy	-	4.7%
Financial Services	-	26.9%
Real Estate	-	1.5%
Utilities	-	4.2%

Return for Risk

WRND vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

WRND

WRND Risk / Return Rank: 53
WRND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
WRND Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
WRND Omega Ratio Rank: 50
WRND Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
WRND Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 56
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

WRND vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) 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.

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.

	WRND	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.69	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	2.37	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	2.24	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.36	8.71	+0.65

WRND vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WRND Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WRND 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.

Drawdowns

WRND vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WRND drawdown since its inception was -27.16%, roughly equal to the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WRND and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	WRND	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.16%	-27.44%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-10.95%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.41%	-13.25%	-5.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.84%	-1.52%	-4.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.94%	-5.08%	-0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	2.81%	+0.27%

Volatility

WRND vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) has a higher volatility of 7.32% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.83%. This indicates that WRND'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

	WRND	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.32%	4.83%	+2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.87%	12.39%	+2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.95%	14.56%	+3.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.96%	15.99%	+2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.96%	15.73%	+3.23%

WRND vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both WRND and DFAI have an expense ratio of 0.18%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

WRND vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

WRND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than DFAI's 2.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.36%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%
WRND IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF	1.04%	1.29%	1.15%	2.06%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WRND and DFAI in my portfolio?

WRND and DFAI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WRND or DFAI?

WRND has higher volatility (7.32%) compared to DFAI (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WRND dropped -27.16% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, WRND or DFAI?

On 3-year performance, WRND leads with 20.25% vs 18.32% for DFAI. Both ETFs have the same 0.18% expense ratio. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WRND or DFAI?

Over the 3-year period, WRND has performed better with a 20.25% return vs 18.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WRND or DFAI?

WRND and DFAI have the same expense ratio: 0.18% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WRND or DFAI?

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 1.04% for WRND.

What is the main difference between WRND and DFAI?

WRND is categorized as Global Equities, while DFAI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and Dimensional.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.61), 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.