DFIEX vs. DFSMX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) and DFSMX (DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSMX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFIEX returned 10.71%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for DFSMX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. DFIEX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for DFSMX.

Performance

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) and DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFIEX achieves a 10.75% return, which is significantly higher than DFSMX's 1.15% return. Over the past 10 years, DFIEX has outperformed DFSMX with an annualized return of 10.71%, while DFSMX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.24% annualized return.

DFIEX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 10.75%
• 6M: 10.21%
• 1Y: 27.85%
• 3Y*: 19.70%
• 5Y*: 10.12%
• 10Y*: 10.71%

DFSMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 2.38%
• 3Y*: 2.71%
• 5Y*: 1.74%
• 10Y*: 1.24%

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

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	10.75%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	21.70%	-17.41%	28.04%
DFSMX DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio	1.15%	2.30%	2.84%	2.98%	-0.36%	-0.11%	0.83%	1.62%	1.22%	1.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DFIEX and DFSMX is 0.09, 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	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2005	-0.03

The correlation between DFIEX and DFSMX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (all time) to 0.09 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFIEX vs. DFSMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 53
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

DFSMX

DFSMX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DFSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DFSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) and DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX). 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.

	DFIEX	DFSMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	4.16	-2.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	8.56	-5.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	4.46	-3.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	12.85	-10.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.16	76.73	-66.57

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFIEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is lower than the DFSMX Sharpe Ratio of 4.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFIEX and DFSMX, 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

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFIEX drawdown since its inception was -62.22%, which is greater than DFSMX's maximum drawdown of -2.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIEX and DFSMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFIEX	DFSMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.22%	-2.66%	-59.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.01%	-0.20%	-10.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	-0.49%	-12.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.66%	-1.66%	-27.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.04%	-1.69%	-39.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	0.00%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.15%	-0.23%	-11.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	0.03%	+2.79%

Volatility

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Volatility Comparison

DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) has a higher volatility of 4.48% compared to DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX) at 0.18%. This indicates that DFIEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFIEX	DFSMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.48%	0.18%	+4.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.73%	0.38%	+11.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.25%	0.61%	+13.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.80%	0.79%	+15.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.35%	0.77%	+15.58%

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFIEX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSMX's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFIEX vs. DFSMX - Dividend Comparison

DFIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.92%, more than DFSMX's 2.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	2.92%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%
DFSMX DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.35%	2.08%	2.80%	1.94%	0.63%	0.19%	0.83%	1.22%	1.11%	0.95%	0.94%	0.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFIEX and DFSMX in my portfolio?

DFIEX and DFSMX have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFIEX or DFSMX?

DFIEX has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to DFSMX (0.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIEX dropped -62.22% vs DFSMX's -2.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.16 vs 2.03), 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.