CISMX vs. DFVEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CISMX (Clarkston Partners Fund) and DFVEX (DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, CISMX returned 5.97%/yr vs 12.21%/yr for DFVEX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CISMX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DFVEX.

Performance

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Clarkston Partners Fund (CISMX) and DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund (DFVEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CISMX achieves a -0.48% return, which is significantly lower than DFVEX's 12.07% return. Over the past 10 years, CISMX has underperformed DFVEX with an annualized return of 5.97%, while DFVEX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.21% annualized return.

CISMX

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: -0.48%
• 6M: -0.89%
• 1Y: -0.21%
• 3Y*: -0.02%
• 5Y*: -1.85%
• 10Y*: 5.97%

DFVEX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 4.47%
• YTD: 12.07%
• 6M: 12.59%
• 1Y: 28.65%
• 3Y*: 18.58%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 12.21%

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

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CISMX Clarkston Partners Fund	-0.48%	-8.37%	4.49%	6.41%	-0.40%	7.94%	17.42%	23.98%	-7.25%	12.84%
DFVEX DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund	12.07%	13.66%	14.36%	17.60%	-9.96%	32.10%	7.53%	26.11%	-13.24%	14.15%

Correlation

The correlation between CISMX and DFVEX 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2015	0.86

The correlation between CISMX and DFVEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CISMX vs. DFVEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CISMX

CISMX Risk / Return Rank: 3
CISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
CISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

DFVEX

DFVEX Risk / Return Rank: 73
DFVEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
DFVEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DFVEX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DFVEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DFVEX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Clarkston Partners Fund (CISMX) and DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund (DFVEX). 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.

	CISMX	DFVEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	2.49	-2.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.18	3.55	-3.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.44	-0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.05	3.59	-3.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.12	14.75	-14.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CISMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the DFVEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CISMX and DFVEX, 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

	CISMX	DFVEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03	2.49	-2.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.11	0.58	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.61	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.42	-0.06

Drawdowns

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CISMX drawdown since its inception was -33.80%, smaller than the maximum DFVEX drawdown of -62.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CISMX and DFVEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CISMX	DFVEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.80%	-62.71%	+28.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.54%	-8.45%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.19%	-21.20%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.19%	-21.20%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.80%	-42.20%	+8.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.82%	0.00%	-14.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-9.12%	+2.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.68%	2.04%	+2.64%

Volatility

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Volatility Comparison

Clarkston Partners Fund (CISMX) has a higher volatility of 4.55% compared to DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund (DFVEX) at 2.96%. This indicates that CISMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFVEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CISMX	DFVEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	2.96%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.71%	8.97%	+3.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.05%	12.18%	+4.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.48%	18.22%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.29%	20.15%	-1.86%

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CISMX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than DFVEX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

CISMX vs. DFVEX - Dividend Comparison

CISMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than DFVEX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CISMX Clarkston Partners Fund	4.67%	4.65%	1.05%	3.76%	16.95%	0.81%	3.73%	3.79%	7.15%	1.30%	1.17%	0.09%
DFVEX DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund	1.07%	0.91%	1.26%	3.33%	4.94%	9.56%	1.28%	2.98%	4.09%	4.41%	3.46%	4.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CISMX and DFVEX in my portfolio?

CISMX and DFVEX 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.

Which is riskier, CISMX or DFVEX?

CISMX has higher volatility (4.55%) compared to DFVEX (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CISMX dropped -33.80% vs DFVEX's -62.71%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFVEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.03), 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.