DFSI vs. MCSE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DFSI (Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF) and MCSE (Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSI returned 16.89%/yr vs -0.12%/yr for MCSE. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFSI charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for MCSE.

Performance

DFSI vs. MCSE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSI) and Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSI achieves a 8.74% return, which is significantly higher than MCSE's 1.12% return.

DFSI

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 1.21%
• 6M: 4.21%
• YTD: 8.74%
• 1Y: 21.35%
• 3Y*: 16.89%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.12%

MCSE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: -0.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.07%

*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)
DFSI Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF	$2.37M	$2.51M	$2.73M
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DFSI vs. MCSE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSI Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF	8.74%	33.62%	4.98%	17.86%	10.47%
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	1.12%	7.79%	-9.46%	14.86%	9.87%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSI and MCSE is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2022	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between DFSI and MCSE has dropped to 0.47 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DFSI vs. MCSE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFSI	MCSE
Financial Services	24.9%	2.1%
Industrials	21.5%	18.1%
Technology	11.3%	31.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	13.8%
Healthcare	9.0%	20.1%
Basic Materials	6.7%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	5.0%
Communication Services	4.9%	4.7%
Utilities	3.0%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Energy	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

DFSI vs. MCSE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSI

DFSI Risk / Return Rank: 57
DFSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
DFSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DFSI Omega Ratio Rank: 59
DFSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DFSI Martin Ratio Rank: 56

MCSE

MCSE Risk / Return Rank: 19
MCSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MCSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
MCSE Omega Ratio Rank: 22
MCSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
MCSE Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

DFSI vs. MCSE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSI) and Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE). 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.

	DFSI	MCSE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	0.37	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	0.58	+1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.10	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	0.37	+1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.56	0.92	+5.65

DFSI vs. MCSE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is higher than the MCSE Sharpe Ratio of 0.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSI and MCSE, 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

DFSI vs. MCSE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSI drawdown since its inception was -12.82%, smaller than the maximum MCSE drawdown of -26.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSI and MCSE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSI	MCSE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.82%	-26.36%	+13.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.26%	-10.42%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.62%	-26.36%	+13.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-10.51%	+9.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.59%	-8.79%	+6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	4.36%	-1.08%

Volatility

DFSI vs. MCSE - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSI) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE) at 0.00%. This indicates that DFSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MCSE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSI	MCSE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	0.00%	+4.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.46%	1.91%	+11.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	10.71%	+4.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.25%	19.08%	-3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.25%	19.08%	-3.83%

DFSI vs. MCSE - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSI has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than MCSE's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFSI vs. MCSE - Dividend Comparison

DFSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than MCSE's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSI Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF	2.18%	2.23%	2.39%	2.10%	0.18%
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	3.74%	3.78%	0.63%	0.57%	0.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSI and MCSE in my portfolio?

DFSI and MCSE have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFSI or MCSE?

DFSI has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to MCSE (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSI dropped -12.82% vs MCSE's -26.36%.

Which ETF is better, DFSI or MCSE?

On 3-year performance, DFSI leads with 16.89% vs -0.12% for MCSE. On fees, DFSI is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, MCSE has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFSI or MCSE?

Over the 3-year period, DFSI has performed better with a 16.89% return vs -0.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFSI or MCSE?

DFSI is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for MCSE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFSI or MCSE?

MCSE has the higher dividend yield at 3.74%, compared with 2.18% for DFSI.

What is the main difference between DFSI and MCSE?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Franklin. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for DFSI and 0.59% for MCSE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.37), 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.