LZSCX vs. DFISX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

LZSCX (Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - LZSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Lazard, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, LZSCX returned 8.67%/yr vs 8.41%/yr for DFISX. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. LZSCX charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6 (LZSCX) 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, LZSCX achieves a 16.31% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.81% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with LZSCX having a 8.67% annualized return and DFISX not far behind at 8.41%.

LZSCX

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: -3.56%
• 6M: 10.25%
• YTD: 16.31%
• 1Y: 29.22%
• 3Y*: 11.21%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: 8.67%
• ALL TIME*: 9.45%

DFISX

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 2.09%
• 6M: 4.11%
• YTD: 9.81%
• 1Y: 22.33%
• 3Y*: 16.93%
• 5Y*: 7.39%
• 10Y*: 8.41%
• ALL TIME*: 7.30%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
LZSCX Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LZSCX Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6	16.31%	2.46%	13.77%	10.16%	-15.20%	20.08%	6.43%	30.01%	-13.49%	14.25%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	9.81%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	24.18%	-19.42%	24.78%

Correlation

The correlation between LZSCX and DFISX is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 1996	0.57

The correlation between LZSCX and DFISX shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

LZSCX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

LZSCX

LZSCX Risk / Return Rank: 41
LZSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
LZSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
LZSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
LZSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
LZSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 60
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6 (LZSCX) 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.

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.

	LZSCX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.18	1.56	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	2.25	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.28	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	1.87	+0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.08	6.41	+0.67

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LZSCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.18, which is comparable to the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LZSCX 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.

Drawdowns

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LZSCX drawdown since its inception was -58.08%, roughly equal to the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LZSCX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LZSCX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.08%	-60.66%	+2.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-11.96%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.89%	-13.68%	-16.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.89%	-35.06%	+5.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.64%	-43.00%	-0.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.16%	-1.16%	-5.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.01%	-11.60%	+2.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.50%	3.49%	+0.01%

Volatility

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6 (LZSCX) has a higher volatility of 4.68% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 4.27%. This indicates that LZSCX'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

	LZSCX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	4.27%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.43%	12.06%	+3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.88%	14.45%	+6.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.72%	15.96%	+6.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.43%	15.95%	+6.48%

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LZSCX has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

LZSCX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

LZSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, more than DFISX's 2.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.89%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%
LZSCX Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio R6	4.28%	4.98%	17.48%	8.00%	4.28%	15.21%	0.57%	3.22%	17.28%	12.69%	2.37%	6.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LZSCX and DFISX in my portfolio?

LZSCX and DFISX have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LZSCX or DFISX?

LZSCX has higher volatility (4.68%) compared to DFISX (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LZSCX dropped -58.08% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.18), 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.