NSIDX vs. DFSCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NSIDX (Northern Small Cap Index Fund) and DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NSIDX returned 10.98%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for DFSCX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NSIDX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DFSCX.

Performance

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Northern Small Cap Index Fund (NSIDX) and DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSIDX achieves a 18.68% return, which is significantly higher than DFSCX's 16.94% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NSIDX having a 10.98% annualized return and DFSCX not far ahead at 11.20%.

NSIDX

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 4.97%
• YTD: 18.68%
• 6M: 17.43%
• 1Y: 41.27%
• 3Y*: 18.61%
• 5Y*: 6.47%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

DFSCX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 16.94%
• 6M: 16.37%
• 1Y: 35.45%
• 3Y*: 17.74%
• 5Y*: 9.05%
• 10Y*: 11.20%

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

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSIDX Northern Small Cap Index Fund	18.68%	12.88%	11.45%	16.87%	-20.63%	14.38%	19.59%	25.22%	-11.33%	14.62%
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	16.94%	9.65%	11.43%	17.93%	-12.49%	33.70%	6.61%	20.68%	-11.60%	10.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NSIDX and DFSCX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 1999	0.96

The correlation between NSIDX and DFSCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.84 (1 year) to 0.96 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NSIDX vs. DFSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSIDX

NSIDX Risk / Return Rank: 65
NSIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
NSIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
NSIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
NSIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
NSIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

DFSCX

DFSCX Risk / Return Rank: 65
DFSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DFSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
DFSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
DFSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Northern Small Cap Index Fund (NSIDX) and DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX). 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.

	NSIDX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.16	+0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.11	+0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.37	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.05	4.65	-0.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.27	14.95	-0.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSIDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the DFSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSIDX and DFSCX, 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

	NSIDX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	2.16	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.43	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.50	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.61	-0.27

Drawdowns

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSIDX drawdown since its inception was -59.02%, smaller than the maximum DFSCX drawdown of -63.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSIDX and DFSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSIDX	DFSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.02%	-63.07%	+4.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.97%	-8.17%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.71%	-27.01%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.89%	-27.01%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.09%	-46.88%	+4.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	0.00%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.06%	-9.91%	-2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	2.53%	+0.56%

Volatility

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Volatility Comparison

Northern Small Cap Index Fund (NSIDX) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) at 4.48%. This indicates that NSIDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSIDX	DFSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	4.48%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.67%	11.59%	+2.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.77%	17.57%	+2.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.23%	21.01%	+3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.26%	22.64%	+1.62%

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSIDX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSCX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSIDX vs. DFSCX - Dividend Comparison

NSIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, more than DFSCX's 0.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	0.82%	1.03%	0.97%	2.48%	5.16%	10.77%	0.87%	2.80%	5.50%	5.05%	0.90%	6.33%
NSIDX Northern Small Cap Index Fund	1.33%	1.57%	6.72%	2.01%	6.38%	12.15%	3.52%	1.78%	12.16%	6.55%	4.06%	6.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSIDX and DFSCX in my portfolio?

NSIDX and DFSCX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSIDX or DFSCX?

NSIDX has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to DFSCX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSIDX dropped -59.02% vs DFSCX's -63.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSIDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 2.16), 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.