BSNSX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

BSNSX (Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, BSNSX returned 2.09%/yr vs 2.49%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BSNSX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund (BSNSX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSNSX achieves a 1.58% return, which is significantly lower than DCARX's 1.75% return.

BSNSX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.98%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 1.69%
• 1Y: 5.56%
• 3Y*: 4.33%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: —

DCARX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 1.75%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 3.05%
• 5Y*: 2.49%
• 10Y*: —

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

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BSNSX Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund	1.58%	4.83%	2.92%	6.53%	-5.54%	2.00%	8.13%	0.85%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	1.75%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between BSNSX and DCARX is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2019	0.23

Over the past year, the correlation between BSNSX and DCARX has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.23, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BSNSX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSNSX

BSNSX Risk / Return Rank: 85
BSNSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
BSNSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
BSNSX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
BSNSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BSNSX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund (BSNSX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). 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.

	BSNSX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.51	2.73	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.35	4.48	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.97	1.74	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	6.22	-3.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	16.53	-5.45

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSNSX Sharpe Ratio is 3.51, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSNSX and DCARX, 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

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSNSX drawdown since its inception was -9.77%, smaller than the maximum DCARX drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSNSX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSNSX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.77%	-12.27%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.81%	-0.47%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.54%	-1.39%	-2.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.77%	-4.79%	-4.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.47%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.57%	-0.74%	-0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.50%	0.18%	+0.32%

Volatility

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund (BSNSX) has a higher volatility of 0.46% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.36%. This indicates that BSNSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSNSX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	0.36%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.25%	0.89%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.59%	1.06%	+0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.67%	2.24%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.34%	2.90%	+0.44%

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSNSX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than DCARX's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSNSX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

BSNSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, less than DCARX's 3.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSNSX Baird Strategic Municipal Bond Fund	3.07%	3.32%	3.28%	2.99%	1.84%	1.33%	1.99%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.23%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSNSX and DCARX in my portfolio?

BSNSX and DCARX have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSNSX or DCARX?

BSNSX has higher volatility (0.46%) compared to DCARX (0.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSNSX dropped -9.77% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSNSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.51 vs 2.73), 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.