DSFIX vs. DFESX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSFIX (DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio) and DFESX (DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DSFIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Dimensional, while DFESX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by T. Rowe Price. Over the past 5 years, DSFIX returned 0.46%/yr vs 9.44%/yr for DFESX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. DSFIX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DFESX.

Performance

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio (DSFIX) and DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSFIX achieves a 0.65% return, which is significantly lower than DFESX's 28.96% return.

DSFIX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 6M: 0.42%
• 1Y: 5.44%
• 3Y*: 4.52%
• 5Y*: 0.46%
• 10Y*: —

DFESX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 10.14%
• YTD: 28.96%
• 6M: 31.90%
• 1Y: 54.42%
• 3Y*: 24.24%
• 5Y*: 9.44%
• 10Y*: 11.15%

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

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DSFIX DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio	0.65%	6.80%	1.81%	7.18%	-13.07%	-2.19%	9.26%	9.83%	-0.32%	3.24%
DFESX DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio	28.96%	29.95%	7.16%	14.58%	-18.49%	4.16%	12.99%	17.12%	-14.87%	36.07%

Correlation

The correlation between DSFIX and DFESX is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	-0.01

The correlation between DSFIX and DFESX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DSFIX vs. DFESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSFIX

DSFIX Risk / Return Rank: 25
DSFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DSFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
DSFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
DSFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
DSFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

DFESX

DFESX Risk / Return Rank: 90
DFESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFESX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DFESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
DFESX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio (DSFIX) and DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX). 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.

	DSFIX	DFESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	3.39	-2.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	4.34	-2.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.64	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	4.33	-2.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.89	17.30	-11.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSFIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the DFESX Sharpe Ratio of 3.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSFIX and DFESX, 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

	DSFIX	DFESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	3.39	-2.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.63	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.50	-0.04

Drawdowns

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSFIX drawdown since its inception was -18.94%, smaller than the maximum DFESX drawdown of -41.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSFIX and DFESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSFIX	DFESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.94%	-41.43%	+22.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.66%	-12.79%	+10.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.70%	-16.53%	+11.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.87%	-32.64%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	0.00%	-1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.66%	-10.76%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	3.18%	-2.25%

Volatility

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio (DSFIX) is 1.25%, while DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX) has a volatility of 7.18%. This indicates that DSFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSFIX	DFESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	7.18%	-5.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	14.26%	-11.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96%	16.35%	-12.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.79%	15.10%	-9.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.96%	16.10%	-11.14%

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSFIX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than DFESX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSFIX vs. DFESX - Dividend Comparison

DSFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, more than DFESX's 2.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFESX DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio	2.13%	2.59%	3.15%	3.23%	3.17%	2.37%	1.64%	2.33%	2.37%	2.04%	2.05%	2.17%
DSFIX DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio	4.12%	3.61%	3.95%	3.28%	2.54%	2.70%	2.22%	2.58%	2.56%	1.87%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSFIX and DFESX in my portfolio?

DSFIX and DFESX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSFIX or DFESX?

DFESX has higher volatility (7.18%) compared to DSFIX (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSFIX dropped -18.94% vs DFESX's -41.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFESX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.39 vs 1.39), 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.