Dodge & Cox Income Fund
Figures last verified October 31, 2026
Active investment-grade bond investing with a corporate-credit tilt and patient security selection.
Bond markets are where active management has its least-bad record — pricing inefficiencies are real, the Agg index weights toward whoever issues the most debt, and a careful credit shop can add measurable value. DODIX is the standing example: a corporate-tilted, patiently managed core bond fund that has outpaced the Aggregate over most long periods, net of its 0.41% fee.
The trade is slightly more credit risk than the government-heavy index, which shows up as deeper dips in credit panics and better yields the rest of the time. For a portfolio's bond sleeve, DODIX versus VBTLX is closer to a genuine toss-up than almost any active/passive matchup on this site — which, given how those usually go, is high praise for the active side.
Investors wanting a credit-savvy active core bond fund at a fair fee.
DODIX alternatives & comparable funds
If you’re weighing DODIX against the field, these are the funds most investors line it up against — same job, different provider, slightly different terms.
| Fund | Family | Expense Ratio | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| DODIX — Dodge & Cox Income Fund | Dodge & Cox | 0.41% | $2,500 |
| VBTLX — Vanguard Total Bond Market… | Vanguard | 0.05% | $3,000 |
| FXNAX — Fidelity US Bond Index Fund | Fidelity | 0.025% | $0 |
| PTTRX — PIMCO Total Return Fund (Institutional) | PIMCO | 0.53% | $1M (instit.) |
| MWTRX — Metropolitan West Total Re… | Metropolitan West | 0.65% | $5,000 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the expense ratio of DODIX?
DODIX (Dodge & Cox Income Fund) has an expense ratio of 0.41%, which works out to roughly $41 per year for every $10,000 invested. That is moderate — cheap for an actively managed fund, but several times what a comparable index fund charges.
What is the minimum investment for DODIX?
DODIX requires a minimum initial investment of $2,500.
What does DODIX invest in?
Active investment-grade bond investing with a corporate-credit tilt and patient security selection. It falls in the bond category and is an actively managed fund.
What are good alternatives to DODIX?
The funds most often compared with DODIX are VBTLX, FXNAX, PTTRX — broadly similar exposure from different providers, with small differences in fee, minimum, and portability that usually come down to which brokerage holds your account.
Expense ratio and minimum for DODIX drawn from Dodge & Cox fund documentation; last verified October 31, 2026. Figures change — confirm against the official prospectus before investing. This review is editorial opinion, not investment advice.