DRIGX vs. DFSTX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DRIGX (Dimensional 2035 Target Date Retirement Income Fund) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DRIGX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DRIGX returned 7.68%/yr vs 10.83%/yr for DFSTX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DRIGX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.

Performance

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional 2035 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIGX) 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, DRIGX achieves a 6.44% return, which is significantly lower than DFSTX's 14.98% return. Over the past 10 years, DRIGX has underperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 7.68%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.83% annualized return.

DRIGX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 6.44%
• 6M: 6.40%
• 1Y: 16.15%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: 4.02%
• 10Y*: 7.68%

DFSTX

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: 14.98%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: 29.94%
• 3Y*: 16.95%
• 5Y*: 8.11%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

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

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DRIGX Dimensional 2035 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	6.44%	11.65%	7.31%	12.95%	-20.97%	15.21%	16.43%	21.77%	-7.36%	17.24%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	14.98%	8.07%	11.50%	17.66%	-13.50%	30.50%	11.19%	21.78%	-13.20%	11.19%

Correlation

The correlation between DRIGX and DFSTX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.75

The correlation between DRIGX and DFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DRIGX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DRIGX

DRIGX Risk / Return Rank: 49
DRIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
DRIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
DRIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DRIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DRIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

DFSTX

DFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 51
DFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
DFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
DFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
DFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
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.

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional 2035 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIGX) 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.

	DRIGX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.80	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.63	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.31	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	3.29	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.87	11.14	-1.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRIGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the DFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRIGX 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

	DRIGX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.80	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.40	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.49	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.50	+0.21

Drawdowns

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRIGX drawdown since its inception was -26.73%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRIGX and DFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRIGX	DFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.73%	-60.99%	+34.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.59%	-9.16%	+2.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.99%	-25.91%	+14.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.73%	-25.91%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.73%	-44.78%	+18.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	0.00%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.25%	-8.77%	+3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	2.69%	-1.07%

Volatility

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional 2035 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIGX) is 2.57%, while DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a volatility of 4.25%. This indicates that DRIGX 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

	DRIGX	DFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.57%	4.25%	-1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.16%	11.61%	-5.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.93%	16.74%	-8.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.26%	20.57%	-9.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.10%	22.08%	-10.98%

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRIGX has a 0.21% 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

DRIGX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison

DRIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.49%, more than DFSTX's 0.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	0.94%	1.08%	1.05%	2.45%	5.18%	6.39%	1.08%	3.30%	5.16%	4.56%	3.10%	5.90%
DRIGX Dimensional 2035 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	6.49%	6.76%	4.33%	3.96%	5.94%	3.45%	3.32%	2.31%	2.46%	1.23%	1.38%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRIGX and DFSTX in my portfolio?

DRIGX and DFSTX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DRIGX or DFSTX?

DFSTX has higher volatility (4.25%) compared to DRIGX (2.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRIGX dropped -26.73% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRIGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.80), 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.