DGBEX vs. DFSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGBEX (DFA Global Social Core Equity Portfolio) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DGBEX is a Global Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DGBEX returned 11.45%/yr vs 8.13%/yr for DFSTX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGBEX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.

Performance

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Social Core Equity Portfolio (DGBEX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DGBEX having a 14.80% return and DFSTX slightly lower at 14.69%.

DGBEX

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 6.16%
• YTD: 14.80%
• 6M: 16.17%
• 1Y: 32.78%
• 3Y*: 22.08%
• 5Y*: 11.45%
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DGBEX DFA Global Social Core Equity Portfolio	14.80%	22.39%	15.72%	22.33%	-17.76%	20.94%	12.88%	3.93%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	14.69%	8.07%	11.50%	17.66%	-13.50%	30.50%	11.19%	3.33%

Correlation

The correlation between DGBEX and DFSTX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2019	0.89

The correlation between DGBEX and DFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DGBEX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGBEX

DGBEX Risk / Return Rank: 74
DGBEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DGBEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DGBEX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGBEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DGBEX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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

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.

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Social Core Equity Portfolio (DGBEX) 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.

	DGBEX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	1.87	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	2.73	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.32	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	3.42	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	11.58	+2.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGBEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is higher than the DFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGBEX and DFSTX, 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

	DGBEX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	1.87	+0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.40	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.50	+0.21

Drawdowns

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGBEX drawdown since its inception was -37.83%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGBEX and DFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGBEX	DFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.83%	-60.99%	+23.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.32%	-9.16%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.44%	-25.91%	+8.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.97%	-25.91%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-44.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-8.77%	+2.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.69%	-0.34%

Volatility

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Global Social Core Equity Portfolio (DGBEX) is 3.97%, while DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that DGBEX 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.

Volatility by Period

	DGBEX	DFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	4.45%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	11.57%	-1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.96%	16.76%	-3.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.34%	20.56%	-4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.38%	22.08%	-2.70%

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGBEX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSTX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGBEX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison

DGBEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than DFSTX's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
DGBEX DFA Global Social Core Equity Portfolio	1.44%	1.50%	2.73%	1.85%	1.79%	2.81%	2.24%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGBEX and DFSTX in my portfolio?

DGBEX and DFSTX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGBEX or DFSTX?

DFSTX has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to DGBEX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGBEX dropped -37.83% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGBEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 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.