GQSCX vs. DFISX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GQSCX (Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - GQSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Glenmede, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, GQSCX returned 10.61%/yr vs 7.30%/yr for DFISX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GQSCX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio (GQSCX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GQSCX achieves a 16.40% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.65% return.

GQSCX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 16.40%
• 6M: 16.89%
• 1Y: 42.75%
• 3Y*: 19.58%
• 5Y*: 10.61%
• 10Y*: —

DFISX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 9.65%
• 6M: 13.12%
• 1Y: 26.38%
• 3Y*: 18.77%
• 5Y*: 7.30%
• 10Y*: 8.36%

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

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GQSCX Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio	16.40%	12.22%	11.49%	18.94%	-8.48%	31.77%	7.60%	22.17%	-11.32%	1.07%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	9.65%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	24.18%	-19.42%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between GQSCX and DFISX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2017	0.69

The correlation between GQSCX and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GQSCX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GQSCX

GQSCX Risk / Return Rank: 76
GQSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
GQSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
GQSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
GQSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GQSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio (GQSCX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). 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.

	GQSCX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.87	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	2.65	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.21	2.15	+3.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.24	7.90	+10.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQSCX and DFISX, 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

	GQSCX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	1.87	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.46	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.47	-0.01

Drawdowns

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQSCX drawdown since its inception was -46.87%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQSCX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQSCX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.87%	-60.66%	+13.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.74%	-11.96%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.83%	-13.68%	-15.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.83%	-35.06%	+6.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.31%	+1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.18%	-11.64%	+3.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	3.24%	-0.76%

Volatility

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio (GQSCX) has a higher volatility of 5.11% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 3.78%. This indicates that GQSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GQSCX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	3.78%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.40%	11.00%	+1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.35%	13.77%	+4.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.86%	15.89%	+5.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.81%	16.20%	+8.61%

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQSCX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQSCX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

GQSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, less than DFISX's 2.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.87%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%
GQSCX Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio	2.67%	3.01%	10.53%	0.70%	9.45%	10.41%	0.51%	0.59%	0.77%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQSCX and DFISX in my portfolio?

GQSCX and DFISX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQSCX or DFISX?

GQSCX has higher volatility (5.11%) compared to DFISX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQSCX dropped -46.87% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.87), 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.