Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) Performance

NYSE Arca: DFCFTotal returns, calendar years, drawdowns and risk since 2021.

DFCF total return

Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026
YTD
−1.3%
since Dec 31, 2025
1 year
−1.4%
total return
3 years
+5.5%
a year
Since first price
−0.1%
a year since 2021

DFCF trailing returns vs AGG, TLT, SPY

DFCF trailing returns
PeriodDFCF total returnPrice onlyU.S. bonds (AGG)20+ yr Treasuries (TLT)S&P 500 (SPY)
1 month+0.8%+0.4%+0.9%+1.5%−1.0%
3 months−0.8%−1.9%−0.4%−1.0%+3.2%
6 months−1.8%−4.0%−1.5%−3.8%+7.8%
YTD−1.3%−4.4%−1.0%−3.4%+12.3%
1 year−1.4%−5.6%−1.1%−6.9%+14.4%
3 years+17.4%+5.5%/yr+2.0%+16.6%+5.2%/yr+9.7%+3.1%/yr+87.4%+23.3%/yr
Since inceptionNov 16, 2021−0.6%−0.1%/yr−18.8%———

Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.

Growth of $10,000: DFCF vs AGG

DFCFU.S. bonds (AGG)

From Nov 16, 2021: DFCF grew to $9,944, AGG to $9,927.

Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.

DFCF returns by calendar year

DFCFAGG

3 of 4 full years positive. Best 2025 (+7.9%), worst 2022 (−14.5%). 2026 is year to date.

DFCF annual returns table

DFCF calendar-year returns
YearDFCFLargest dropAGGTLTSPY
2026YTD−1.3%−4.8%−1.0%−3.4%+12.3%
2025+7.9%−2.9%+7.2%+4.3%+17.7%
2024+1.9%−3.7%+1.3%−8.1%+24.9%
2023+6.9%−6.1%+5.7%+2.8%+26.2%
2022−14.5%−18.7%−13.0%−31.2%−18.2%

Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.

Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year

Calendar-year returnLargest drop within the year

Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.

DFCF largest drawdowns

Now 3.1% below the high
DFCF largest drawdowns
PeakDeclineBottomRecoveredFallUnderwater
Dec 3, 2021−19.6%Oct 20, 2022Oct 16, 202511 months3.9 years

Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 5% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.

DFCF risk statistics

DFCF risk statistics
Statistic3 yearsSince 2021
Annualized return+4.4%−0.6%
Volatility (annualized)5.5%7.0%
Sharpe ratio0.03-0.60
Sortino ratio0.04-0.74
Best month+4.5%+4.5%
Worst month−2.9%−4.7%
Best 12 months+12.1%+12.1%
Worst 12 months−2.0%−14.6%
Positive months67%53%
Beta vs S&P 5000.23—
Correlation with S&P 5000.52—

From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.

DFCF rolling returns

DFCF rolling returns
Holding periodPeriodsWorstMedianBestPositive
1-year48−14.6%+4.0%+12.1%77%
3-year (a year)24−2.3%+4.4%+6.7%83%

Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2021. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.

DFCF performance overview

Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) returned −1.4% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2021 it has returned −0.1% a year, turning $10,000 into about $9,944. Over the same year U.S. bonds (AGG) returned −1.1%.

The deepest decline was −19.6%, from Dec 3, 2021 to Oct 20, 2022, and it took 3.0 years to get back to the old high. DFCF finished 3 of its 4 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2025 (+7.9%) and the worst 2022 (−14.5%). Volatility has been 7.0% a year.

Related: DFCF chart, DFCF dividends, DFCF bond profile. See the DFCF overview for the latest quote and fund facts.

DFCF performance FAQ

What is the DFCF return over the past year?

DFCF returned −1.4% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 5.6%.

How much would $10,000 invested in DFCF be worth?

$10,000 invested in DFCF at its first recorded close on November 16, 2021 would be worth about $9,944 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.

What was the worst year for DFCF?

The worst calendar year was 2022, with a total return of −14.5%. The best was 2025 at +7.9%.

What is the biggest drawdown of DFCF?

The largest peak-to-trough decline was −19.6% between December 3, 2021 and October 20, 2022. It recovered to the old high on October 16, 2025, 3.0 years after the bottom.

How volatile is DFCF?

Over the past 3 years DFCF had an annualized volatility of 5.5% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.03 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).