BBIEX vs. DFISX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BBIEX (Bridge Builder International Equity Fund) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - BBIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Bridge Builder, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, BBIEX returned 8.06%/yr vs 7.92%/yr for DFISX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BBIEX charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bridge Builder International Equity Fund (BBIEX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBIEX achieves a 5.18% return, which is significantly lower than DFISX's 6.48% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BBIEX having a 8.06% annualized return and DFISX not far behind at 7.92%.

BBIEX

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -0.85%
• YTD: 5.18%
• 6M: -2.06%
• 1Y: 4.24%
• 3Y*: 11.34%
• 5Y*: 4.36%
• 10Y*: 8.06%

DFISX

• 1D: -2.33%
• 1M: -2.44%
• YTD: 6.48%
• 6M: 9.54%
• 1Y: 21.99%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 6.48%
• 10Y*: 7.92%

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

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBIEX Bridge Builder International Equity Fund	5.18%	17.63%	5.67%	17.29%	-18.01%	10.54%	15.76%	23.14%	-13.28%	26.70%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	6.48%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	24.18%	-19.42%	24.78%

Correlation

The correlation between BBIEX and DFISX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.91

The correlation between BBIEX and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BBIEX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBIEX

BBIEX Risk / Return Rank: 6
BBIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
BBIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
BBIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
BBIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
BBIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 32
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bridge Builder International Equity Fund (BBIEX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). 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.

	BBIEX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.31	1.59	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.52	2.25	-1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.29	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	1.85	-1.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.31	6.79	-5.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBIEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.31, which is lower than the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBIEX and DFISX, 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

	BBIEX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31	1.59	-1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.41	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.49	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.46	+0.04

Drawdowns

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBIEX drawdown since its inception was -32.92%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBIEX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBIEX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.92%	-60.66%	+27.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-11.96%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.89%	-13.68%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.82%	-35.06%	+2.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.92%	-43.00%	+10.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.36%	-4.16%	+0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.91%	-11.64%	+4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	3.25%	+0.38%

Volatility

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Bridge Builder International Equity Fund (BBIEX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) have volatilities of 4.14% and 3.95%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBIEX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.14%	3.95%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	11.30%	+1.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	13.94%	+1.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.49%	15.92%	+0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.56%	16.21%	+0.35%

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBIEX has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBIEX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

BBIEX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBIEX Bridge Builder International Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	5.34%	2.46%	2.34%	10.17%	3.80%	2.29%	3.54%	1.97%	1.40%	0.00%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.95%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBIEX and DFISX in my portfolio?

BBIEX and DFISX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBIEX or DFISX?

BBIEX has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to DFISX (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBIEX dropped -32.92% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.31), 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.