DFSCX vs. DFGBX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) and DFGBX (DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFGBX is a Global Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX returned 11.33%/yr vs 1.21%/yr for DFGBX. Their -0.13 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. DFSCX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for DFGBX.

Performance

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSCX achieves a 23.22% return, which is significantly higher than DFGBX's 1.50% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX has outperformed DFGBX with an annualized return of 11.33%, while DFGBX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.21% annualized return.

DFSCX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.44%
• 6M: 16.44%
• YTD: 23.22%
• 1Y: 39.55%
• 3Y*: 16.34%
• 5Y*: 10.88%
• 10Y*: 11.33%
• ALL TIME*: 12.45%

DFGBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.30%
• 6M: 1.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 1Y: 3.14%
• 3Y*: 4.11%
• 5Y*: 1.16%
• 10Y*: 1.21%
• ALL TIME*: 15.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	23.22%	9.65%	11.43%	17.93%	-12.49%	33.70%	6.61%	20.68%	-11.60%	10.92%
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	1.50%	3.13%	5.37%	5.00%	-6.63%	-1.03%	1.52%	4.04%	1.68%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSCX and DFGBX is 0.32, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.08
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1991	-0.13

The correlation between DFSCX and DFGBX shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFSCX vs. DFGBX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DFSCX

DFSCX Risk / Return Rank: 88
DFSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DFSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
DFSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DFSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

DFGBX

DFGBX Risk / Return Rank: 81
DFGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DFGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DFGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DFGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
DFGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX). 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.

	DFSCX	DFGBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.11	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	3.22	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.53	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.35	2.37	+1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.57	8.15	+6.42

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the DFGBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSCX and DFGBX, 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

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSCX drawdown since its inception was -63.07%, which is greater than DFGBX's maximum drawdown of -9.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSCX and DFGBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSCX	DFGBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.07%	-9.63%	-53.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-1.38%	-6.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.01%	-1.67%	-25.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.01%	-9.54%	-17.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.88%	-9.63%	-37.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.63%	-0.30%	-1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-0.93%	-8.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	0.40%	+2.06%

Volatility

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) has a higher volatility of 3.50% compared to DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX) at 0.51%. This indicates that DFSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFGBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSCX	DFGBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	0.51%	+2.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.52%	1.41%	+10.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	1.55%	+15.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.85%	2.18%	+18.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.59%	1.92%	+20.67%

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSCX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than DFGBX's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFSCX vs. DFGBX - Dividend Comparison

DFSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than DFGBX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	4.61%	2.91%	4.69%	3.61%	1.63%	0.73%	0.03%	2.30%	4.74%	0.89%	1.16%	1.72%
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	0.86%	1.03%	0.97%	2.48%	5.16%	10.77%	0.87%	2.80%	5.50%	5.05%	0.90%	6.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSCX and DFGBX in my portfolio?

DFSCX and DFGBX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFSCX or DFGBX?

DFSCX has higher volatility (3.50%) compared to DFGBX (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSCX dropped -63.07% vs DFGBX's -9.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 2.06), 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.