ZVNBX vs. DFUSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZVNBX (Zevenbergen Growth Fund) and DFUSX (DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - ZVNBX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Zevenbergen Capital Investments, while DFUSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, ZVNBX returned 16.84%/yr vs 15.43%/yr for DFUSX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZVNBX charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DFUSX.

Performance

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) and DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZVNBX achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly lower than DFUSX's 10.89% return. Over the past 10 years, ZVNBX has outperformed DFUSX with an annualized return of 16.84%, while DFUSX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.43% annualized return.

ZVNBX

• 1D: -1.77%
• 1M: 8.73%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 6.41%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 3.31%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

DFUSX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.17%
• YTD: 10.89%
• 6M: 10.78%
• 1Y: 27.96%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 13.84%
• 10Y*: 15.43%

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

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZVNBX Zevenbergen Growth Fund	4.04%	9.93%	34.10%	63.92%	-54.79%	-9.19%	123.87%	37.73%	5.88%	33.71%
DFUSX DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio	10.89%	17.76%	24.91%	26.28%	-18.14%	28.53%	18.41%	32.08%	-4.45%	21.04%

Correlation

The correlation between ZVNBX and DFUSX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 3, 2015	0.75

The correlation between ZVNBX and DFUSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZVNBX

ZVNBX Risk / Return Rank: 5
ZVNBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ZVNBX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

DFUSX

DFUSX Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DFUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
DFUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DFUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DFUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) and DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX). 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.

	ZVNBX	DFUSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	2.45	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.56	3.41	-2.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.44	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	3.19	-2.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.66	14.94	-14.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZVNBX Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is lower than the DFUSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZVNBX and DFUSX, 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

	ZVNBX	DFUSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30	2.45	-2.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.83	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.86	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.46	+0.01

Drawdowns

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZVNBX drawdown since its inception was -66.30%, which is greater than DFUSX's maximum drawdown of -54.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZVNBX and DFUSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZVNBX	DFUSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.30%	-54.96%	-11.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.79%	-8.88%	-17.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.14%	-18.76%	-11.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.28%	-24.58%	-38.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.30%	-33.79%	-32.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.23%	-0.73%	-11.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.82%	-10.60%	-9.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.37%	1.89%	+8.48%

Volatility

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Volatility Comparison

Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) has a higher volatility of 6.23% compared to DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX) at 2.91%. This indicates that ZVNBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFUSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZVNBX	DFUSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	2.91%	+3.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.91%	9.00%	+8.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.12%	11.58%	+11.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.51%	16.87%	+18.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.37%	18.07%	+14.30%

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZVNBX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than DFUSX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZVNBX vs. DFUSX - Dividend Comparison

ZVNBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, more than DFUSX's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUSX DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio	0.96%	1.04%	1.24%	4.17%	6.24%	6.57%	3.82%	2.74%	2.64%	1.56%	1.95%	2.87%
ZVNBX Zevenbergen Growth Fund	1.22%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.95%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZVNBX and DFUSX in my portfolio?

ZVNBX and DFUSX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZVNBX or DFUSX?

ZVNBX has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to DFUSX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZVNBX dropped -66.30% vs DFUSX's -54.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 0.30), 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.