DFAX vs. OTCAX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX).

DFAX is a passively managed fund by Dimensional that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. It was launched on Mar 6, 2008. OTCAX is managed by MFS. It was launched on Dec 1, 1993.

Performance

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	5.34%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%
OTCAX MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund	-6.41%	3.32%	23.47%	21.00%	-28.53%	1.94%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAX achieves a 5.34% return, which is significantly higher than OTCAX's -6.41% return.

DFAX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: -5.38%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 10.06%
• 1Y: 34.45%
• 3Y*: 17.69%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

OTCAX

• 1D: 3.59%
• 1M: -6.60%
• YTD: -6.41%
• 6M: -10.76%
• 1Y: 2.30%
• 3Y*: 10.38%
• 5Y*: 3.37%
• 10Y*: 11.20%

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

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than OTCAX's 1.00% expense ratio.

OTCAX

MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund

DFAX

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF

Return for Risk

DFAX vs. OTCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

OTCAX

OTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 7
OTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
OTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
OTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
OTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
OTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX). 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.

	DFAX	OTCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	0.15	+1.91
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	0.35	+2.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.05	+0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	0.18	+2.92
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.07	0.51	+11.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the OTCAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAX and OTCAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFAX	OTCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	0.15	+1.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.17	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.37	+0.17

Correlation

The correlation between DFAX and OTCAX is 0.70, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Dividend Comparison

DFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%, less than OTCAX's 17.91% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.43%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
OTCAX MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund	17.91%	16.76%	15.59%	0.00%	0.00%	3.64%	0.83%	0.86%	4.70%	8.80%	5.67%	2.84%

Drawdowns

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAX drawdown since its inception was -28.15%, smaller than the maximum OTCAX drawdown of -74.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAX and OTCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAX	OTCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.15%	-74.39%	+46.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.31%	-16.46%	+5.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.85%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.06%	-13.46%	+6.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-23.21%	+16.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	5.84%	-2.94%

Volatility

DFAX vs. OTCAX - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX) have volatilities of 7.40% and 7.09%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAX	OTCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	7.09%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	13.06%	-1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.87%	20.72%	-3.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.86%	20.13%	-4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.86%	19.89%	-4.03%