DFSCX vs. MUB
DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) and MUB (iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF) are both funds - DFSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while MUB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX returned 11.53%/yr vs 1.92%/yr for MUB. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. DFSCX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for MUB.
Performance
DFSCX vs. MUB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSCX achieves a 19.26% return, which is significantly higher than MUB's 1.28% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX has outperformed MUB with an annualized return of 11.53%, while MUB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.92% annualized return.
DFSCX
- 1D
- 2.35%
- 1M
- 6.42%
- YTD
- 19.26%
- 6M
- 16.19%
- 1Y
- 38.65%
- 3Y*
- 17.49%
- 5Y*
- 9.29%
- 10Y*
- 11.53%
MUB
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 1.28%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 6.40%
- 3Y*
- 3.35%
- 5Y*
- 0.80%
- 10Y*
- 1.92%
DFSCX vs. MUB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio | 19.26% | 9.65% | 11.43% | 17.93% | -12.49% | 33.70% | 6.61% | 20.68% | -11.60% | 10.92% |
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 1.28% | 3.78% | 1.26% | 5.56% | -7.34% | 1.02% | 5.12% | 7.06% | 0.93% | 4.72% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSCX and MUB is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2007 | -0.06 |
The correlation between DFSCX and MUB shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFSCX vs. MUB — Risk / Return Rank
DFSCX
MUB
DFSCX vs. MUB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB). 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 | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.44 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.37 | 2.22 | +2.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.12 | 7.77 | +6.35 |
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Drawdowns
DFSCX vs. MUB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSCX drawdown since its inception was -63.07%, which is greater than MUB's maximum drawdown of -13.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSCX and MUB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSCX | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.07% | -13.68% | -49.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.17% | -2.79% | -5.38% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.01% | -5.34% | -21.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.01% | -11.88% | -15.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.88% | -13.68% | -33.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.66% | +0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.90% | -2.23% | -7.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.53% | 0.80% | +1.73% |
Volatility
DFSCX vs. MUB - Volatility Comparison
DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) has a higher volatility of 5.02% compared to iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (MUB) at 1.01%. This indicates that DFSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MUB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSCX | MUB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.02% | 1.01% | +4.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.99% | 2.25% | +9.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.79% | 2.90% | +14.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.05% | 4.06% | +16.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.65% | 4.92% | +17.73% |
DFSCX vs. MUB - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSCX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than MUB's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSCX vs. MUB - Dividend Comparison
DFSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than MUB's 3.17% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio | 0.80% | 1.03% | 0.97% | 2.48% | 5.16% | 10.77% | 0.87% | 2.80% | 5.50% | 5.05% | 0.90% | 6.33% |
MUB iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF | 3.17% | 3.14% | 3.01% | 2.65% | 2.11% | 1.81% | 2.11% | 2.42% | 2.46% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.51% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSCX and MUB have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFSCX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to MUB (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSCX dropped -63.07% vs MUB's -13.68%.
MUB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.01), 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.
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