DGEIX vs. DFSTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGEIX (DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DGEIX is a Global Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DGEIX returned 12.51%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for DFSTX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DGEIX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.

Performance

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DGEIX achieves a 13.03% return, which is significantly lower than DFSTX's 14.69% return. Over the past 10 years, DGEIX has outperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 12.51%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.93% annualized return.

DGEIX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.90%
• YTD: 13.03%
• 6M: 13.93%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 20.54%
• 5Y*: 10.87%
• 10Y*: 12.51%

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)

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGEIX DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class	13.03%	19.86%	15.71%	20.35%	-14.72%	20.31%	13.51%	26.68%	-11.48%	21.36%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between DGEIX and DFSTX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 29, 2003	0.91

The correlation between DGEIX and DFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DGEIX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGEIX

DGEIX Risk / Return Rank: 77
DGEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DGEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DGEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
DGEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DGEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class (DGEIX) 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.

	DGEIX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	1.87	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.63	2.73	+0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.32	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	3.42	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.24	11.58	+3.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGEIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is higher than the DFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGEIX 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

	DGEIX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	1.87	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70	0.40	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.50	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.50	+0.01

Drawdowns

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGEIX drawdown since its inception was -59.77%, roughly equal to the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGEIX and DFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGEIX	DFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.77%	-60.99%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.85%	-9.16%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.97%	-25.91%	+8.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.20%	-25.91%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.00%	-44.78%	+7.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.00%	-8.77%	+0.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	2.69%	-0.67%

Volatility

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class (DGEIX) is 3.28%, while DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that DGEIX 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

	DGEIX	DFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	4.45%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	11.57%	-2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.75%	16.76%	-5.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.66%	20.56%	-4.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.87%	22.08%	-5.21%

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGEIX has a 0.25% 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%.

Dividends

DGEIX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison

DGEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, 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%
DGEIX DFA Global Equity Portfolio Institutional Class	2.68%	2.79%	3.64%	3.82%	4.92%	1.94%	2.37%	2.22%	2.62%	1.50%	1.90%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DGEIX and DFSTX in my portfolio?

DGEIX and DFSTX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGEIX or DFSTX?

DFSTX has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to DGEIX (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGEIX dropped -59.77% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 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.