BFSAX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

BFSAX (BFS Equity Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - BFSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BFS, while DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BFSAX charges 1.25%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

BFSAX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BFS Equity Fund (BFSAX) and DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BFSAX

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFIEX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -0.45%
• 6M: 7.25%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 1Y: 23.12%
• 3Y*: 18.93%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

BFSAX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BFSAX BFS Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	8.75%	-18.53%	24.95%	10.46%	32.88%	-2.96%	20.97%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class	10.06%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	21.70%	-17.41%	28.04%

Correlation

The correlation between BFSAX and DFIEX is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2013	0.67

The correlation between BFSAX and DFIEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (3 years) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BFSAX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BFSAX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 48
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

BFSAX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BFS Equity Fund (BFSAX) and DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIEX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BFSAX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.57	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.22	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.28	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.05	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	7.88	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	BFSAX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-62.22%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.01%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.81%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.66%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-1.30%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-12.12%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.85%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BFSAX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.63%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.07%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	14.44%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	15.82%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	16.11%	—

BFSAX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BFSAX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

BFSAX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

BFSAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFSAX BFS Equity Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.14%	9.63%	1.50%	1.69%	3.63%	0.32%	0.45%	0.30%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class	3.01%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BFSAX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

BFSAX and DFIEX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.