DFSTX vs. DFCMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) and DFCMX (DFA California Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFCMX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFSTX returned 10.93%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for DFCMX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. DFSTX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFCMX.

Performance

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) and DFA California Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFCMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSTX achieves a 14.69% return, which is significantly higher than DFCMX's 0.83% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSTX has outperformed DFCMX with an annualized return of 10.93%, while DFCMX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.19% annualized return.

DFSTX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 3.51%
• YTD: 14.69%
• 6M: 13.91%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 8.13%
• 10Y*: 10.93%

DFCMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.04%
• 1Y: 2.60%
• 3Y*: 2.61%
• 5Y*: 1.56%
• 10Y*: 1.19%

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

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	14.69%	8.07%	11.50%	17.66%	-13.50%	30.50%	11.19%	21.78%	-13.20%	11.19%
DFCMX DFA California Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio	0.83%	2.55%	2.84%	2.53%	-0.76%	-0.13%	0.67%	1.84%	1.24%	1.07%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSTX and DFCMX is -0.04, 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	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	-0.02

Return for Risk

DFSTX vs. DFCMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSTX

DFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 51
DFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
DFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

DFCMX

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

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.

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) and DFA California Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFCMX). 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.

	DFSTX	DFCMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	4.46	-2.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	10.44	-7.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	4.85	-3.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	12.81	-9.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.58	43.94	-32.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is lower than the DFCMX Sharpe Ratio of 4.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSTX and DFCMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFSTX	DFCMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	4.46	-2.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	1.75	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	1.36	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	1.31	-0.81

Drawdowns

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSTX drawdown since its inception was -60.99%, which is greater than DFCMX's maximum drawdown of -2.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSTX and DFCMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSTX	DFCMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.99%	-2.20%	-58.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-0.20%	-8.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.91%	-0.68%	-25.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.91%	-2.20%	-23.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.78%	-2.20%	-42.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-0.26%	-8.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	0.06%	+2.63%

Volatility

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a higher volatility of 4.45% compared to DFA California Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFCMX) at 0.13%. This indicates that DFSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSTX	DFCMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	0.13%	+4.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.57%	0.41%	+11.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.76%	0.59%	+16.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.56%	0.89%	+19.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.08%	0.88%	+21.20%

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSTX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCMX's 0.19% 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

DFSTX vs. DFCMX - Dividend Comparison

DFSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than DFCMX's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCMX DFA California Short Term Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.48%	2.23%	2.61%	1.70%	0.71%	0.36%	0.87%	1.43%	1.04%	0.87%	0.86%	0.82%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	0.95%	1.08%	1.05%	2.45%	5.18%	6.39%	1.08%	3.30%	5.16%	4.56%	3.10%	5.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSTX and DFCMX in my portfolio?

DFSTX and DFCMX have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFSTX or DFCMX?

DFSTX has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to DFCMX (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSTX dropped -60.99% vs DFCMX's -2.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.46 vs 1.87), 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.