DRIJX vs. DFSTX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

DRIJX (Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DRIJX 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, DRIJX returned 12.76%/yr vs 11.55%/yr for DFSTX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DRIJX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.

Performance

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIJX) 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, DRIJX achieves a 9.16% return, which is significantly lower than DFSTX's 17.37% return. Over the past 10 years, DRIJX has outperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 12.76%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.55% annualized return.

DRIJX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.35%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 8.24%
• 1Y: 22.31%
• 3Y*: 18.89%
• 5Y*: 10.95%
• 10Y*: 12.76%

DFSTX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 2.84%
• YTD: 17.37%
• 6M: 14.68%
• 1Y: 30.68%
• 3Y*: 17.13%
• 5Y*: 8.61%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DRIJX Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	9.16%	19.64%	17.05%	21.37%	-15.25%	21.63%	14.09%	25.59%	-9.14%	21.76%
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	17.37%	8.07%	11.50%	17.66%	-13.50%	30.50%	11.19%	21.78%	-13.20%	11.19%

Correlation

The correlation between DRIJX and DFSTX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.84

The correlation between DRIJX and DFSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DRIJX vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DRIJX

DRIJX Risk / Return Rank: 72
DRIJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
DRIJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DRIJX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DRIJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DRIJX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

DFSTX

DFSTX Risk / Return Rank: 60
DFSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
DFSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
DFSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
DFSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIJX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DRIJX	DFSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.76	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	2.59	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.30	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.26	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.17	11.07	+1.09

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRIJX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the DFSTX Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRIJX 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.

Drawdowns

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRIJX drawdown since its inception was -33.55%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRIJX and DFSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRIJX	DFSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.55%	-60.99%	+27.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.12%	-9.16%	+1.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.25%	-25.91%	+10.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.49%	-25.91%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.55%	-44.78%	+11.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	0.00%	-2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-8.75%	+4.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	2.68%	-0.84%

Volatility

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund (DRIJX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) have volatilities of 4.48% and 4.70%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRIJX	DFSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.48%	4.70%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.10%	11.96%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.98%	16.97%	-5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.65%	20.55%	-5.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.59%	22.06%	-6.47%

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRIJX has a 0.22% 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

DRIJX vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison

DRIJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, more than DFSTX's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio	0.93%	1.08%	1.05%	2.45%	5.18%	6.39%	1.08%	3.30%	5.16%	4.56%	3.10%	5.90%
DRIJX Dimensional 2050 Target Date Retirement Income Fund	2.32%	2.49%	2.53%	3.40%	3.98%	2.87%	4.15%	2.18%	2.29%	1.25%	1.40%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRIJX and DFSTX in my portfolio?

DRIJX and DFSTX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DRIJX or DFSTX?

DFSTX has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to DRIJX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRIJX dropped -33.55% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRIJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.76), 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.