BRSJX vs. DFSCX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

BRSJX (MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund) and DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BRSJX returned 9.14%/yr vs 11.33%/yr for DFSCX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. BRSJX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DFSCX.

Performance

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund (BRSJX) and DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRSJX achieves a 15.39% return, which is significantly lower than DFSCX's 23.22% return. Over the past 10 years, BRSJX has underperformed DFSCX with an annualized return of 9.14%, while DFSCX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.33% annualized return.

BRSJX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: -1.33%
• 6M: 10.30%
• YTD: 15.39%
• 1Y: 28.66%
• 3Y*: 10.22%
• 5Y*: 5.68%
• 10Y*: 9.14%
• ALL TIME*: 9.85%

DFSCX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.44%
• 6M: 16.44%
• YTD: 23.22%
• 1Y: 39.55%
• 3Y*: 16.34%
• 5Y*: 10.88%
• 10Y*: 11.33%
• ALL TIME*: 12.45%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BRSJX MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRSJX MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund	15.39%	5.80%	4.75%	18.84%	-18.40%	28.88%	2.09%	26.23%	-5.37%	13.22%
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	23.22%	9.65%	11.43%	17.93%	-12.49%	33.70%	6.61%	20.68%	-11.60%	10.92%

Correlation

The correlation between BRSJX and DFSCX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.96

The correlation between BRSJX and DFSCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BRSJX vs. DFSCX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BRSJX

BRSJX Risk / Return Rank: 52
BRSJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BRSJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
BRSJX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
BRSJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
BRSJX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DFSCX

DFSCX Risk / Return Rank: 88
DFSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DFSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
DFSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DFSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund (BRSJX) and DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX). 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.

	BRSJX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	2.06	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	3.04	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.36	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	4.35	-1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.80	14.57	-6.77

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRSJX Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is lower than the DFSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRSJX and DFSCX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRSJX drawdown since its inception was -45.20%, smaller than the maximum DFSCX drawdown of -63.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRSJX and DFSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRSJX	DFSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.20%	-63.07%	+17.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.37%	-8.17%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.05%	-27.01%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.05%	-27.01%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.20%	-46.88%	+1.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.19%	-1.63%	-1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.00%	-9.87%	+1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	2.46%	+0.74%

Volatility

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund (BRSJX) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) at 3.50%. This indicates that BRSJX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRSJX	DFSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	3.50%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.16%	11.52%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.96%	17.30%	+1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.19%	20.85%	+1.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.02%	22.59%	+0.43%

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRSJX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSCX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRSJX vs. DFSCX - Dividend Comparison

BRSJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.81%, more than DFSCX's 0.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRSJX MFS Blended Research Small Cap Equity Fund	5.81%	6.71%	7.66%	0.78%	4.18%	12.97%	0.67%	1.83%	6.23%	3.01%	0.36%	0.00%
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	0.86%	1.03%	0.97%	2.48%	5.16%	10.77%	0.87%	2.80%	5.50%	5.05%	0.90%	6.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRSJX and DFSCX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, BRSJX and DFSCX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BRSJX or DFSCX?

BRSJX has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to DFSCX (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRSJX dropped -45.20% vs DFSCX's -63.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.31), 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.