LSMSX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LSMSX (Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, LSMSX returned 1.20%/yr vs 2.55%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LSMSX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) 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, LSMSX achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly higher than DCARX's 2.03% return.

LSMSX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 1.07%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.48%
• 1Y: 8.53%
• 3Y*: 4.03%
• 5Y*: 1.20%
• 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)

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	2.18%	3.22%	2.22%	7.96%	-10.03%	4.11%	4.48%	8.16%	0.46%	1.26%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	2.03%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.46%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between LSMSX and DCARX is -0.02, 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	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.27

The correlation between LSMSX and DCARX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LSMSX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LSMSX

LSMSX Risk / Return Rank: 77
LSMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
LSMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
LSMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
LSMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
LSMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) 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.

	LSMSX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	3.27	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.61	5.44	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.95	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	7.25	-4.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.07	20.39	-10.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LSMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 3.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LSMSX 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

	LSMSX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.95	3.27	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	1.14	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.96	-0.32

Drawdowns

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LSMSX drawdown since its inception was -15.00%, which is greater than DCARX's maximum drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LSMSX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LSMSX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.00%	-12.27%	-2.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-0.47%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.49%	-1.39%	-6.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.00%	-4.79%	-10.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	0.00%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-0.74%	-2.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.17%	+0.67%

Volatility

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund (LSMSX) has a higher volatility of 1.22% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.44%. This indicates that LSMSX'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

	LSMSX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	0.44%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.07%	0.86%	+1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88%	1.04%	+1.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.49%	2.24%	+2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.51%	2.91%	+1.60%

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LSMSX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than DCARX's 0.26% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LSMSX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

LSMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, 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%
LSMSX Western Asset SMASh Series TF Fund	3.86%	3.83%	4.30%	3.37%	2.38%	2.73%	2.33%	2.55%	2.34%	0.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LSMSX and DCARX in my portfolio?

LSMSX and DCARX have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LSMSX or DCARX?

LSMSX has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to DCARX (0.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LSMSX dropped -15.00% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DCARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.27 vs 2.95), 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.