DFCSX vs. CAEZX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFCSX (DFA Continental Small Company Portfolio) and CAEZX (Columbia Acorn European Fund) are both Europe Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DFCSX returned 9.49%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for CAEZX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFCSX charges 0.42%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for CAEZX.

Performance

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Continental Small Company Portfolio (DFCSX) and Columbia Acorn European Fund (CAEZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFCSX achieves a 5.75% return, which is significantly higher than CAEZX's 5.08% return. Over the past 10 years, DFCSX has outperformed CAEZX with an annualized return of 9.49%, while CAEZX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.39% annualized return.

DFCSX

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 5.75%
• 6M: 9.33%
• 1Y: 15.53%
• 3Y*: 16.36%
• 5Y*: 5.74%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

CAEZX

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 5.08%
• 6M: 7.99%
• 1Y: 11.02%
• 3Y*: 9.82%
• 5Y*: 1.15%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

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

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFCSX DFA Continental Small Company Portfolio	5.75%	37.58%	0.20%	16.93%	-20.12%	14.66%	15.07%	25.90%	-19.67%	34.77%
CAEZX Columbia Acorn European Fund	5.08%	24.00%	-4.20%	25.11%	-38.02%	21.76%	23.09%	46.34%	-18.57%	38.37%

Correlation

The correlation between DFCSX and CAEZX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2011	0.89

The correlation between DFCSX and CAEZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFCSX vs. CAEZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCSX

DFCSX Risk / Return Rank: 17
DFCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
DFCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
DFCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
DFCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
DFCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

CAEZX

CAEZX Risk / Return Rank: 10
CAEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
CAEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
CAEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
CAEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
CAEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Continental Small Company Portfolio (DFCSX) and Columbia Acorn European Fund (CAEZX). 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.

	DFCSX	CAEZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	0.73	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.68	1.15	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.14	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	0.81	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.74	2.97	+1.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is higher than the CAEZX Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCSX and CAEZX, 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

	DFCSX	CAEZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	0.73	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.05	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.40	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.47	+0.09

Drawdowns

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCSX drawdown since its inception was -65.47%, which is greater than CAEZX's maximum drawdown of -50.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCSX and CAEZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCSX	CAEZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.47%	-50.98%	-14.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.82%	-14.38%	+2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.96%	-22.96%	+7.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.25%	-50.98%	+11.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.16%	-50.98%	+7.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.38%	-6.68%	+4.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.63%	-11.51%	-2.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.47%	3.92%	-0.45%

Volatility

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Continental Small Company Portfolio (DFCSX) is 4.89%, while Columbia Acorn European Fund (CAEZX) has a volatility of 5.70%. This indicates that DFCSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CAEZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFCSX	CAEZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	5.70%	-0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	13.44%	-1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.50%	16.01%	-1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.94%	21.81%	-3.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.91%	20.90%	-2.99%

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCSX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than CAEZX's 1.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFCSX vs. CAEZX - Dividend Comparison

DFCSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.85%, less than CAEZX's 19.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAEZX Columbia Acorn European Fund	19.95%	20.97%	2.67%	0.84%	0.00%	0.40%	0.45%	1.04%	0.77%	1.26%	1.10%	1.57%
DFCSX DFA Continental Small Company Portfolio	2.85%	3.02%	4.94%	2.84%	2.45%	1.19%	1.55%	2.24%	6.28%	1.98%	1.97%	1.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFCSX and CAEZX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, DFCSX and CAEZX 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, DFCSX or CAEZX?

CAEZX has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to DFCSX (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFCSX dropped -65.47% vs CAEZX's -50.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.73), 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.