DISVX vs. DFALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DISVX (DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio) and DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DISVX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFALX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DISVX returned 10.65%/yr vs 10.01%/yr for DFALX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DISVX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFALX.

Performance

DISVX vs. DFALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DISVX having a 10.61% return and DFALX slightly higher at 10.72%. Over the past 10 years, DISVX has outperformed DFALX with an annualized return of 10.65%, while DFALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.01% annualized return.

DISVX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 10.61%
• 6M: 14.85%
• 1Y: 36.19%
• 3Y*: 26.27%
• 5Y*: 13.72%
• 10Y*: 10.65%

DFALX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 3.63%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 13.34%
• 1Y: 26.40%
• 3Y*: 18.68%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

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

DISVX vs. DFALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio	10.61%	52.17%	7.88%	17.58%	-9.80%	15.84%	0.82%	21.04%	-23.36%	25.41%
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	10.72%	33.60%	4.55%	17.88%	-13.04%	12.79%	8.13%	22.05%	-14.15%	25.35%

Correlation

The correlation between DISVX and DFALX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 1994	0.86

The correlation between DISVX and DFALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DISVX vs. DFALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DISVX

DISVX Risk / Return Rank: 60
DISVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
DISVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DISVX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
DISVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DISVX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

DFALX

DFALX Risk / Return Rank: 40
DFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
DFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
DFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
DFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
DFALX 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.

DISVX vs. DFALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). 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.

	DISVX	DFALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.83	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.55	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.33	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	2.40	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.57	9.36	+0.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DISVX vs. DFALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DISVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the DFALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DISVX and DFALX, 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

	DISVX	DFALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.83	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.63	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.62	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.38	+0.15

Drawdowns

DISVX vs. DFALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DISVX drawdown since its inception was -61.57%, roughly equal to the maximum DFALX drawdown of -59.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DISVX and DFALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DISVX	DFALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.57%	-59.76%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.26%	-10.70%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-13.11%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.43%	-27.52%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.24%	-35.58%	-13.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.34%	-0.18%	-3.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.20%	-12.01%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.70%	2.74%	+0.96%

Volatility

DISVX vs. DFALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX) is 3.94%, while DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) has a volatility of 4.24%. This indicates that DISVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DISVX	DFALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	4.24%	-0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	11.41%	+0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.37%	14.11%	+0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.07%	15.67%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.78%	16.18%	+0.60%

DISVX vs. DFALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DISVX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than DFALX's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

DISVX vs. DFALX - Dividend Comparison

DISVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.52%, more than DFALX's 2.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	2.73%	2.89%	3.18%	3.24%	2.86%	3.00%	1.88%	2.88%	3.07%	2.55%	2.89%	2.94%
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio	6.52%	7.17%	4.56%	3.87%	2.40%	3.51%	1.84%	3.97%	5.91%	3.77%	5.85%	3.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DISVX and DFALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, DISVX and DFALX 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, DISVX or DFALX?

DFALX has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to DISVX (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DISVX dropped -61.57% vs DFALX's -59.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DISVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.83), 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.