DISMX vs. ISCAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DISMX (DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio) and ISCAX (Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DISMX returned 7.14%/yr vs 10.09%/yr for ISCAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DISMX charges 0.53%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for ISCAX.

Performance

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DISMX achieves a 8.27% return, which is significantly lower than ISCAX's 11.98% return. Over the past 10 years, DISMX has underperformed ISCAX with an annualized return of 7.14%, while ISCAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.09% annualized return.

DISMX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 2.66%
• YTD: 8.27%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 16.80%
• 3Y*: 14.01%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 7.14%

ISCAX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 3.35%
• YTD: 11.98%
• 6M: 15.10%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 18.23%
• 5Y*: 6.02%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	8.27%	27.95%	1.30%	11.55%	-25.16%	9.27%	16.42%	25.78%	-17.96%	34.06%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	11.98%	34.01%	5.67%	12.61%	-23.62%	5.98%	31.26%	31.76%	-18.88%	34.73%

Correlation

The correlation between DISMX and ISCAX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.90

The correlation between DISMX and ISCAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.90 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DISMX vs. ISCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DISMX

DISMX Risk / Return Rank: 20
DISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
DISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
DISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
DISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
DISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

ISCAX

ISCAX Risk / Return Rank: 43
ISCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
ISCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
ISCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
ISCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
ISCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) and Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX). 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.

	DISMX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.86	-0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.80	-0.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.34	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	2.53	-0.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	10.33	-4.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DISMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is lower than the ISCAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DISMX and ISCAX, 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

	DISMX	ISCAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	1.86	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.36	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.59	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.51	0.00

Drawdowns

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DISMX drawdown since its inception was -41.53%, smaller than the maximum ISCAX drawdown of -71.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DISMX and ISCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DISMX	ISCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.53%	-71.55%	+30.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.22%	-11.91%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-13.90%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.53%	-40.33%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.53%	-40.33%	-1.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.76%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-22.23%	+11.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	3.23%	0.00%

Volatility

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) is 3.91%, while Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund (ISCAX) has a volatility of 5.20%. This indicates that DISMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DISMX	ISCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	5.20%	-1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	12.46%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.32%	15.43%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.77%	17.49%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.41%	17.44%	-1.03%

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DISMX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is lower than ISCAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

DISMX vs. ISCAX - Dividend Comparison

DISMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than ISCAX's 6.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	1.82%	1.98%	2.48%	2.15%	2.17%	1.89%	1.11%	2.31%	5.59%	3.79%	1.73%	2.75%
ISCAX Federated Hermes International Small-Mid Company Fund	6.65%	7.45%	0.00%	0.84%	0.79%	7.79%	5.80%	4.89%	15.53%	6.51%	0.92%	12.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DISMX and ISCAX in my portfolio?

DISMX and ISCAX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DISMX or ISCAX?

ISCAX has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to DISMX (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DISMX dropped -41.53% vs ISCAX's -71.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.29), 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.