FSMNX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSMNX (Fidelity SAI Municipal Income Fund) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, FSMNX returned 1.15%/yr vs 2.55%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSMNX charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity SAI Municipal Income Fund (FSMNX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSMNX achieves a 1.61% return, which is significantly lower than DCARX's 2.03% return.

FSMNX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 2.01%
• 1Y: 7.35%
• 3Y*: 4.59%
• 5Y*: 1.15%
• 10Y*: —

DCARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.03%
• 6M: 2.07%
• 1Y: 3.47%
• 3Y*: 3.27%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FSMNX Fidelity SAI Municipal Income Fund	1.61%	5.30%	2.12%	7.55%	-10.43%	1.84%	3.45%	8.74%	2.37%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.03%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between FSMNX and DCARX is 0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2018	0.24

Over the past year, the correlation between FSMNX and DCARX has dropped to 0.01 - well below their long-term average of 0.24, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FSMNX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSMNX

FSMNX Risk / Return Rank: 68
FSMNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FSMNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FSMNX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FSMNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
FSMNX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 96
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity SAI Municipal Income Fund (FSMNX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). 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.

	FSMNX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	3.27	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.18	5.44	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.95	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	7.25	-4.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.14	20.39	-12.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSMNX Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 3.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSMNX and DCARX, 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

	FSMNX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	3.27	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	1.14	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.96	-0.35

Drawdowns

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSMNX drawdown since its inception was -15.85%, which is greater than DCARX's maximum drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSMNX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSMNX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.85%	-12.27%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.07%	-0.47%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.08%	-1.39%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.85%	-4.79%	-11.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	0.00%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-0.74%	-2.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.17%	+0.74%

Volatility

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity SAI Municipal Income Fund (FSMNX) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.44%. This indicates that FSMNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSMNX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	0.44%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.19%	0.86%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78%	1.04%	+1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.14%	2.24%	+1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.62%	2.91%	+1.71%

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSMNX has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than DCARX's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSMNX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

FSMNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.37%, more than DCARX's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.22%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%
FSMNX Fidelity SAI Municipal Income Fund	3.37%	4.38%	3.52%	2.98%	1.74%	1.55%	1.96%	3.57%	0.65%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSMNX and DCARX in my portfolio?

FSMNX and DCARX have a correlation of 0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSMNX or DCARX?

FSMNX has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to DCARX (0.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSMNX dropped -15.85% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DCARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.27 vs 2.68), 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.