DSFIX vs. DFIVX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

DSFIX (DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio) and DFIVX (DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - DSFIX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Dimensional, while DFIVX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DSFIX returned -0.16%/yr vs 16.24%/yr for DFIVX. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. DSFIX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DFIVX.

Performance

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio (DSFIX) and DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSFIX achieves a -0.27% return, which is significantly lower than DFIVX's 17.19% return.

DSFIX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -1.11%
• 6M: -0.45%
• YTD: -0.27%
• 1Y: 1.88%
• 3Y*: 4.13%
• 5Y*: -0.16%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.10%

DFIVX

• 1D: 2.64%
• 1M: 4.98%
• 6M: 10.51%
• YTD: 17.19%
• 1Y: 38.36%
• 3Y*: 22.87%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 12.30%
• ALL TIME*: 7.61%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
DSFIX DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DSFIX DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio	-0.27%	6.80%	1.81%	7.18%	-13.07%	-2.19%	9.26%	9.83%	-0.32%	3.24%
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	17.19%	45.24%	6.87%	17.83%	-3.51%	18.57%	-2.13%	15.68%	-17.49%	26.08%

Correlation

The correlation between DSFIX and DFIVX is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	-0.01

The correlation between DSFIX and DFIVX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DSFIX vs. DFIVX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DSFIX

DSFIX Risk / Return Rank: 18
DSFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
DSFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
DSFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
DSFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
DSFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

DFIVX

DFIVX Risk / Return Rank: 93
DFIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DFIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DFIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DFIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
DFIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio (DSFIX) and DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX). 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.

	DSFIX	DFIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	2.64	-1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	3.56	-2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.47	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.05	3.91	-2.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	15.31	-12.75

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSFIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is lower than the DFIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSFIX and DFIVX, 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

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSFIX drawdown since its inception was -18.94%, smaller than the maximum DFIVX drawdown of -66.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSFIX and DFIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSFIX	DFIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.94%	-66.61%	+47.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.66%	-9.58%	+6.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.42%	-14.39%	+9.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.79%	-25.29%	+6.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.11%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.09%	0.00%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.61%	-12.19%	+7.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	2.44%	-1.36%

Volatility

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio (DSFIX) is 0.97%, while DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX) has a volatility of 4.27%. This indicates that DSFIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSFIX	DFIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	4.27%	-3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.92%	11.77%	-8.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	14.29%	-10.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.79%	16.26%	-10.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.94%	17.68%	-12.74%

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSFIX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than DFIVX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSFIX vs. DFIVX - Dividend Comparison

DSFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.37%, more than DFIVX's 3.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	3.62%	4.21%	3.94%	4.40%	3.78%	4.37%	2.42%	3.70%	6.60%	2.85%	3.36%	3.45%
DSFIX DFA Social Fixed Income Portfolio	4.37%	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 DFIVX in my portfolio?

DSFIX and DFIVX have a correlation of 0.31, 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 DFIVX?

DFIVX has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to DSFIX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSFIX dropped -18.94% vs DFIVX's -66.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.72), 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.