MDCPX vs. DFISX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

MDCPX (BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund Investor A Shares) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - MDCPX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by BlackRock, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, MDCPX returned 9.99%/yr vs 7.92%/yr for DFISX. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MDCPX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund Investor A Shares (MDCPX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). 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 MDCPX having a 6.42% return and DFISX slightly higher at 6.48%. Over the past 10 years, MDCPX has outperformed DFISX with an annualized return of 9.99%, while DFISX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.92% annualized return.

MDCPX

• 1D: -1.99%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: 6.42%
• 6M: 7.39%
• 1Y: 16.87%
• 3Y*: 14.13%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

DFISX

• 1D: -2.33%
• 1M: -2.44%
• YTD: 6.48%
• 6M: 9.54%
• 1Y: 21.99%
• 3Y*: 17.56%
• 5Y*: 6.48%
• 10Y*: 7.92%

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

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MDCPX BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund Investor A Shares	6.42%	15.32%	12.47%	16.59%	-15.70%	16.49%	15.07%	21.59%	-3.48%	14.24%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	6.48%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	24.18%	-19.42%	24.78%

Correlation

The correlation between MDCPX and DFISX is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 1996	0.60

Over the past year, MDCPX and DFISX have become more correlated (0.87) than their long-term average of 0.60, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

MDCPX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDCPX

MDCPX Risk / Return Rank: 63
MDCPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
MDCPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
MDCPX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
MDCPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
MDCPX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 32
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund Investor A Shares (MDCPX) 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.

	MDCPX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.59	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.25	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.29	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	1.85	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.12	6.79	+5.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDCPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDCPX 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

	MDCPX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.59	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.41	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.49	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.46	+0.20

Drawdowns

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDCPX drawdown since its inception was -41.98%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDCPX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDCPX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.98%	-60.66%	+18.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.22%	-11.96%	+5.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.65%	-13.68%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.99%	-35.06%	+13.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.58%	-43.00%	+18.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.36%	-4.16%	+1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-11.64%	+6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.43%	3.25%	-1.82%

Volatility

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund Investor A Shares (MDCPX) is 3.07%, while DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) has a volatility of 3.95%. This indicates that MDCPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDCPX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	3.95%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.03%	11.30%	-4.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.55%	13.94%	-5.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.09%	15.92%	-4.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.48%	16.21%	-4.73%

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDCPX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDCPX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

MDCPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.09%, more than DFISX's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.95%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%
MDCPX BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund Investor A Shares	8.09%	8.61%	7.44%	2.63%	3.82%	12.27%	4.02%	5.25%	7.84%	19.39%	4.67%	5.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDCPX and DFISX in my portfolio?

MDCPX and DFISX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDCPX or DFISX?

DFISX has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to MDCPX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDCPX dropped -41.98% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDCPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.59), 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.