DCMSX vs. DFSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DCMSX (DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DCMSX is a Commodities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DCMSX returned 7.72%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for DFSTX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DCMSX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.

Performance

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio (DCMSX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DCMSX achieves a 30.71% return, which is significantly higher than DFSTX's 14.69% return. Over the past 10 years, DCMSX has underperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 7.72%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.93% annualized return.

DCMSX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -2.57%
• YTD: 30.71%
• 6M: 29.48%
• 1Y: 42.92%
• 3Y*: 17.27%
• 5Y*: 12.32%
• 10Y*: 7.72%

DFSTX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 3.51%
• YTD: 14.69%
• 6M: 13.91%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

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

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DCMSX DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio	30.71%	15.15%	5.90%	-9.14%	11.36%	33.54%	-1.78%	7.96%	-11.22%	2.73%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	14.69%	8.07%	11.50%	17.66%	-13.50%	30.50%	11.19%	21.78%	-13.20%	11.19%

Correlation

The correlation between DCMSX and DFSTX is -0.04, 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	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2010	0.25

The correlation between DCMSX and DFSTX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DCMSX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DCMSX

DCMSX Risk / Return Rank: 81
DCMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DCMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DCMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
DCMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DCMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

DFSTX

DFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 51
DFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
DFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio (DCMSX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). 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.

	DCMSX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	1.87	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	2.73	+0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.32	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.10	3.42	+2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.43	11.58	+4.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DCMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is higher than the DFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DCMSX and DFSTX, 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

	DCMSX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.71	1.87	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.40	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.50	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.50	-0.39

Drawdowns

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DCMSX drawdown since its inception was -60.94%, roughly equal to the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DCMSX and DFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DCMSX	DFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.94%	-60.99%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.21%	-9.16%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.10%	-25.91%	+14.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.93%	-25.91%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.52%	-44.78%	+12.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.81%	0.00%	-3.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.79%	-8.77%	-23.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	2.69%	-0.03%

Volatility

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio (DCMSX) has a higher volatility of 5.53% compared to DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) at 4.45%. This indicates that DCMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DCMSX	DFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.53%	4.45%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	11.57%	+2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.32%	16.76%	-0.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.31%	20.56%	-4.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.48%	22.08%	-7.60%

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DCMSX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSTX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

DCMSX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison

DCMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.06%, more than DFSTX's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DCMSX DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio	8.06%	10.75%	2.83%	2.52%	7.46%	49.44%	0.37%	1.51%	1.63%	3.09%	0.47%	0.15%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	0.95%	1.08%	1.05%	2.45%	5.18%	6.39%	1.08%	3.30%	5.16%	4.56%	3.10%	5.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DCMSX and DFSTX in my portfolio?

DCMSX and DFSTX have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DCMSX or DFSTX?

DCMSX has higher volatility (5.53%) compared to DFSTX (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DCMSX dropped -60.94% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DCMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 1.87), 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.