MSCGX vs. DFISX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

MSCGX (Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - MSCGX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Mercer Funds, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, MSCGX returned 7.28%/yr vs 7.39%/yr for DFISX. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MSCGX charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) 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, MSCGX achieves a 16.13% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.81% return.

MSCGX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: -0.85%
• 6M: 11.60%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 22.50%
• 3Y*: 13.31%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.80%

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
MSCGX Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
MSCGX Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	16.13%	6.52%	13.39%	15.35%	-16.91%	24.32%	12.40%	5.34%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	9.81%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	10.52%

Correlation

The correlation between MSCGX and DFISX is 0.60, 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.	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 12, 2019	0.69

The correlation between MSCGX and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSCGX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSCGX

MSCGX Risk / Return Rank: 66
MSCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
MSCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
MSCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
MSCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
MSCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) 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.

	MSCGX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.56	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.25	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	1.87	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.31	6.41	+2.90

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSCGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSCGX 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

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSCGX drawdown since its inception was -41.30%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSCGX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSCGX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.30%	-60.66%	+19.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.22%	-11.96%	+2.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.28%	-13.68%	-10.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.66%	-35.06%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.75%	-1.16%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.47%	-11.60%	-0.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	3.49%	-1.02%

Volatility

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund (MSCGX) is 3.14%, while DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) has a volatility of 4.27%. This indicates that MSCGX 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

	MSCGX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	4.27%	-1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.57%	12.06%	-0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.89%	14.45%	+1.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.79%	15.96%	+7.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.28%	15.95%	+9.33%

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSCGX has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSCGX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

MSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.64%, 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%
MSCGX Mercer US Small/Mid Cap Equity Fund	6.64%	7.71%	10.73%	3.77%	8.42%	20.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSCGX and DFISX in my portfolio?

MSCGX and DFISX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSCGX or DFISX?

DFISX has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to MSCGX (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSCGX dropped -41.30% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.50), 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.