Strategies /
VA Short-Term Fixed Portfolio
| Inception Date | Ticker Symbol | CUSIP Number |
| October 3, 1995 | -- | 233-203-678 |
The VA Short-Term Fixed Portfolio is a no-load mutual fund designed to achieve a stable real return in excess of the rate of inflation with a minimum of risk. Generally, the Portfolio will invest in high quality fixed income securities that mature within one year from the date of settlement. However, when greater returns are available, substantial investments may be made in securities maturing within two years from the date of settlement as well. In addition, the Portfolio may concentrate investments in the banking industry under certain circumstances. The Portfolio normally maintains a weighted average portfolio maturity that will not exceed one year and principally invests in certificates of deposit, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, notes and bonds.
For a full description, please consult the Portfolio's prospectus.
For a full description, please consult the Portfolio's prospectus.
Related materials
Prices
| Updated Daily | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Closing Price | NAV Change $ | NAV Change % | |
| May 23, 2013 | $10.22 | $0.00 | 0.00% | |
Performance
| Updated Daily | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Returns | Year-to-Date | |||
| May 23, 2013 | 0.20% | |||
| Updated Monthly | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Returns | One Month | Three Month | Year-to-Date | |
| April 30, 2013 | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.20% | |
| Updated Monthly | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Total Returns | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception |
| April 30, 2013 | 0.55% | 1.47% | 2.15% | 3.40% |
| Updated Quarterly | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Total Returns | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception |
| As of March 31, 2013 | 0.55% | 1.51% | 2.16% | 3.41% |
| Annual Expenses | Net Expense Ratio (to investor) | Total Operating Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 0.30% | 0.30% | |
| Operating Expense ratio as of 10/31/2012. The net expense ratio takes into account contractual management fee waivers/caps and expense assumption agreements that are in effect through 2/28/2014. The fund’s prospectus contains more information on fees and expenses. | ||
Performance data shown represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit www.dimensional.com.
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Distributions
| Last 12 Months | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Amount per Share | Record Date | Ex-dividend Date | Payable Date | Ex-dividend Price |
| Dividend | $0.0430 USD | 12/11/2012 | 12/12/2012 | 12/18/2012 | $10.21 USD |
| Long-Term Gain | $0.0120 USD | 12/11/2012 | 12/12/2012 | 12/18/2012 | $10.21 USD |
| Short-Term Gain | $0.0110 USD | 12/11/2012 | 12/12/2012 | 12/18/2012 | $10.21 USD |
Top Holdings
| As of April 30, 2013 | % of portfolio |
|---|---|
| FREDDIE MAC NOTES 10/13 0.375 | 5.37 |
| FREDDIE MAC NOTES 11/13 0.375 | 4.95 |
| ROYAL BANK OF CANADA 05/15 0.55 | 2.73 |
| FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK BONDS 03/14 2.375 | 2.61 |
| AGENCE FRANCAISE DEVELOP SR UNSECURED REGS 06/14 1 | 2.24 |
| BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA SR UNSECURED 12/13 2.375 | 2.16 |
| NORDEA BANK FINLAND NY CERT OF DEPO 04/14 VAR | 2.15 |
| RABOBANK NEDERLAND SENIOR NOTES 12/14 1.875 | 1.82 |
| COUNCIL OF EUROPE SR UNSECURED REGS 04/15 4. | 1.82 |
| JPMORGAN CHASE + CO SR UNSECURED 09/13 1.65 | 1.80 |
| FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK BONDS 02/15 0.25 | 1.79 |
| PROVINCE OF QUEBEC UNSECURED 05/14 4.875 | 1.78 |
| US BANCORP SR UNSECURED 11/14 2.875 | 1.77 |
| KFW GOVT GUARANT 01/15 1. | 1.72 |
| CAISSE D AMORT DETTE SOC SR UNSECURED REGS 07/14 1 | 1.72 |
| NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BK NY CERT OF DEPO 02/14 VAR | 1.72 |
| OEKB OEST. KONTROLLBANK GOVT GUARANT 01/14 1.375 | 1.72 |
| FREDDIE MAC NOTES 12/13 0.625 | 1.71 |
| CAISSE DES DEPOTS ET | 1.70 |
| FANNIE MAE NOTES 12/13 2.875 | 1.65 |
| Total | 44.93 |
Sector Allocations
Market Risk
Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the funds that own them, to rise or fall. Because the value of your investment in a fund will fluctuate, there is a risk that you will lose money.
Interest Rate Risk
Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to these price changes.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer's credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer's financial strength may affect a security's value, and thus, impact a fund's performance. Credit risk is greater for fixed income securities with ratings below investment grade. Fixed income securities that are below investment grade involve high credit risk and are considered speculative. Below-investment grade fixed income securities may also fluctuate in value more than higher-quality fixed income securities.
Risk of Banking Concentration
The fund may temporarily concentrate its assets in obligations of US and/or foreign banks and bank holding companies when the yield to maturity on eligible portfolio investments in banking industry securities as a group generally exceeds the yield to maturity on all other eligible portfolio investments as a group. Focus on the banking industry would link the performance of the fund to changes in the performance of the banking industry. For example, a change in the market's perception of the riskiness of banks compared to non-banks would cause the fund's values to fluctuate.
Income Risk
Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the fund's income to decline.
Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the funds that own them, to rise or fall. Because the value of your investment in a fund will fluctuate, there is a risk that you will lose money.
Interest Rate Risk
Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to these price changes.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer's credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer's financial strength may affect a security's value, and thus, impact a fund's performance. Credit risk is greater for fixed income securities with ratings below investment grade. Fixed income securities that are below investment grade involve high credit risk and are considered speculative. Below-investment grade fixed income securities may also fluctuate in value more than higher-quality fixed income securities.
Risk of Banking Concentration
The fund may temporarily concentrate its assets in obligations of US and/or foreign banks and bank holding companies when the yield to maturity on eligible portfolio investments in banking industry securities as a group generally exceeds the yield to maturity on all other eligible portfolio investments as a group. Focus on the banking industry would link the performance of the fund to changes in the performance of the banking industry. For example, a change in the market's perception of the riskiness of banks compared to non-banks would cause the fund's values to fluctuate.
Income Risk
Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the fund's income to decline.
Dimensional Fund Advisors is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the Dimensional funds carefully before investing. For this and other information about the Dimensional funds, please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Prospectuses are available by calling Dimensional Fund Advisors collect at (512) 306-7400 or at www.dimensional.com.
Mutual funds distributed by DFA Securities LLC
Mutual funds distributed by DFA Securities LLC
These Net Asset Values ("NAVs") have been prepared by the fund accounting agent. Dimensional Fund Advisors reserves the right to restate these NAV figures, if necessary, at any time.