DISMX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DISMX (DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio) and VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, DISMX returned 2.74%/yr vs 6.13%/yr for VFSAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DISMX charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VFSAX.

Performance

DISMX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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 VFSAX's 11.72% 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%

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 14.53%
• 1Y: 28.52%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 6.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

DISMX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	8.27%	27.95%	1.30%	11.55%	-25.16%	9.27%	16.42%	16.74%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.72%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between DISMX and VFSAX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.94

The correlation between DISMX and VFSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DISMX vs. VFSAX — 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

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	2.11	-0.82
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	2.88	-0.99
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.39	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	2.45	-0.88
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	9.44	-3.50
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. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DISMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is lower than the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DISMX and VFSAX, 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	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	2.11	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16	0.41	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.55	-0.05

Drawdowns

DISMX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DISMX drawdown since its inception was -41.53%, roughly equal to the maximum VFSAX drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DISMX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DISMX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.53%	-39.86%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.22%	-11.48%	-0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.59%	-14.73%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.53%	-33.81%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-1.08%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.51%	-9.26%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	2.98%	+0.25%

Volatility

DISMX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) is 3.91%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) has a volatility of 4.31%. This indicates that DISMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DISMX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.91%	4.31%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	11.18%	+0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.32%	13.39%	+0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.77%	15.04%	+1.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.41%	17.03%	-0.62%

DISMX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DISMX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

DISMX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

DISMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.82%, less than VFSAX's 2.96% 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%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.96%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DISMX and VFSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DISMX and VFSAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DISMX or VFSAX?

VFSAX has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to DISMX (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DISMX dropped -41.53% vs VFSAX's -39.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 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.