DSSMX vs. DFQTX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DSSMX (DFA Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio) and DFQTX (DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - DSSMX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while DFQTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DSSMX returned 0.64%/yr vs 12.23%/yr for DFQTX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DSSMX charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFQTX.

Performance

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DSSMX) and DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSSMX achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly lower than DFQTX's 11.55% return.

DSSMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 1.62%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: 3.11%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: —

DFQTX

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: 3.47%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 6M: 11.61%
• 1Y: 28.38%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: 12.23%
• 10Y*: 14.05%

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

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DSSMX DFA Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	1.27%	3.40%	2.08%	3.47%	-6.72%	0.10%	1.03%
DFQTX DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I	11.55%	15.99%	20.27%	21.88%	-14.21%	28.46%	13.51%

Correlation

The correlation between DSSMX and DFQTX is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2020	0.08

The correlation between DSSMX and DFQTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DSSMX vs. DFQTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSSMX

DSSMX Risk / Return Rank: 88
DSSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
DSSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
DSSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DSSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
DSSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

DFQTX

DFQTX Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFQTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DFQTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DFQTX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
DFQTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFQTX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DSSMX) and DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX). 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.

	DSSMX	DFQTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.60	2.45	+1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.08	3.48	+2.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.21	1.44	+0.77
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	3.38	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	14.79	-1.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSSMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.60, which is higher than the DFQTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSSMX and DFQTX, 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

	DSSMX	DFQTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.60	2.45	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.72	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.51	-0.18

Drawdowns

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSSMX drawdown since its inception was -10.89%, smaller than the maximum DFQTX drawdown of -59.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSSMX and DFQTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSSMX	DFQTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-59.35%	+48.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.56%	-8.47%	+6.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.57%	-19.71%	+16.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.89%	-22.64%	+11.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	-0.59%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.27%	-7.78%	+4.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.40%	1.92%	-1.52%

Volatility

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DSSMX) is 0.50%, while DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX) has a volatility of 2.96%. This indicates that DSSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFQTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSSMX	DFQTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.50%	2.96%	-2.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.07%	8.91%	-7.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45%	11.69%	-10.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.43%	17.00%	-14.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.33%	18.26%	-15.93%

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSSMX has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than DFQTX's 0.19% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DSSMX vs. DFQTX - Dividend Comparison

DSSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than DFQTX's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFQTX DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I	0.96%	1.06%	1.15%	1.74%	4.43%	4.74%	1.29%	3.50%	2.84%	1.97%	1.80%	3.78%
DSSMX DFA Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.80%	2.37%	2.39%	1.47%	0.92%	0.60%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSSMX and DFQTX in my portfolio?

DSSMX and DFQTX have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSSMX or DFQTX?

DFQTX has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to DSSMX (0.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSSMX dropped -10.89% vs DFQTX's -59.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.60 vs 2.45), 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.