LMISX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

LMISX (Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - LMISX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Legg Mason, while DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, LMISX returned 15.44%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for DFIEX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LMISX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (LMISX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with LMISX having a 8.33% return and DFIEX slightly higher at 8.68%. Over the past 10 years, LMISX has outperformed DFIEX with an annualized return of 15.44%, while DFIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.50% annualized return.

LMISX

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 8.33%
• 6M: 6.66%
• 1Y: 25.10%
• 3Y*: 23.32%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 15.44%

DFIEX

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -1.17%
• YTD: 8.68%
• 6M: 8.20%
• 1Y: 24.16%
• 3Y*: 18.95%
• 5Y*: 9.53%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LMISX Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund	8.33%	18.05%	29.58%	27.88%	-20.61%	31.69%	17.20%	25.95%	-7.57%	23.50%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	8.68%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	21.70%	-17.41%	28.04%

Correlation

The correlation between LMISX and DFIEX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2008	0.79

The correlation between LMISX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LMISX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LMISX

LMISX Risk / Return Rank: 68
LMISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
LMISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
LMISX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
LMISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
LMISX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 43
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (LMISX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). 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.

	LMISX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	1.79	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.50	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.32	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.33	+0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.91	9.04	+4.87

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LMISX Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the DFIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LMISX and DFIEX, 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

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LMISX drawdown since its inception was -50.34%, smaller than the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LMISX and DFIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LMISX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.34%	-62.22%	+11.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.69%	-11.01%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.22%	-12.81%	-7.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.11%	-28.66%	+2.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.27%	-41.04%	+5.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.54%	-2.48%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.59%	-12.15%	+4.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	2.83%	-0.91%

Volatility

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison

Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund (LMISX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) have volatilities of 5.04% and 4.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LMISX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	4.85%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.91%	11.88%	-1.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.63%	14.36%	-1.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.76%	15.82%	+1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.79%	16.18%	+2.61%

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LMISX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

LMISX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

LMISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.44%, more than DFIEX's 2.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	2.97%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%
LMISX Franklin U.S. Large Cap Equity Fund	5.44%	4.11%	3.97%	7.68%	0.95%	25.55%	3.53%	8.42%	17.16%	6.53%	1.42%	6.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LMISX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

LMISX and DFIEX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LMISX or DFIEX?

LMISX has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to DFIEX (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LMISX dropped -50.34% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LMISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.79), 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.