DFSMX vs. DFSTX
Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX).
DFSMX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Aug 19, 2002. DFSTX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Mar 19, 1992.
Performance
DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison
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DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSMX DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio | 0.55% | 2.30% | 2.84% | 2.98% | -0.36% | -0.11% | 0.83% | 1.62% | 1.22% | 1.15% |
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | -0.13% | 8.07% | 11.50% | 17.66% | -13.50% | 30.50% | 11.19% | 21.78% | -13.20% | 11.19% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSMX achieves a 0.55% return, which is significantly higher than DFSTX's -0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSMX has underperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 1.23%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.69% annualized return.
DFSMX
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- -0.05%
- YTD
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 1.10%
- 1Y
- 2.45%
- 3Y*
- 2.60%
- 5Y*
- 1.63%
- 10Y*
- 1.23%
DFSTX
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -7.67%
- YTD
- -0.13%
- 6M
- 1.57%
- 1Y
- 17.08%
- 3Y*
- 11.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.19%
- 10Y*
- 9.69%
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DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSMX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSTX's 0.27% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
DFSMX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank
DFSMX
DFSTX
DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). 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.
| DFSMX | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 3.68 | 0.80 | +2.88 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 6.50 | 1.27 | +5.23 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 3.20 | 1.17 | +2.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.59 | 1.03 | +3.56 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 21.83 | 4.16 | +17.68 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFSMX | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.68 | 0.80 | +2.88 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 2.11 | 0.30 | +1.80 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 1.60 | 0.44 | +1.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.78 | 0.48 | +1.30 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSMX and DFSTX is -0.06. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Dividends
DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison
DFSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%, more than DFSTX's 1.09% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSMX DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio | 2.43% | 2.08% | 2.80% | 1.94% | 0.63% | 0.19% | 0.83% | 1.22% | 1.11% | 0.95% | 0.94% | 0.95% |
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 1.09% | 1.08% | 1.05% | 2.45% | 5.18% | 6.39% | 1.08% | 3.30% | 5.16% | 4.56% | 3.10% | 5.90% |
Drawdowns
DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSMX drawdown since its inception was -2.66%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSMX and DFSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSMX | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.66% | -60.99% | +58.33% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -0.39% | -13.92% | +13.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -1.67% | -25.91% | +24.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -1.69% | -44.78% | +43.09% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.06% | -9.09% | +9.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.24% | -8.80% | +8.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.10% | 3.47% | -3.37% |
Volatility
DFSMX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX) is 0.11%, while DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a volatility of 5.43%. This indicates that DFSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSMX | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.11% | 5.43% | -5.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 0.37% | 12.19% | -11.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.68% | 21.77% | -21.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.78% | 20.61% | -19.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 0.77% | 22.06% | -21.29% |