PFFSX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PFFSX (PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - PFFSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by The Pacific Financial Group, while DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, PFFSX returned 15.48%/yr vs 9.40%/yr for DFIEX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFFSX charges 2.03%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund (PFFSX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFFSX achieves a 14.66% return, which is significantly higher than DFIEX's 10.21% return.

PFFSX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.92%
• YTD: 14.66%
• 6M: 14.66%
• 1Y: 30.53%
• 3Y*: 23.58%
• 5Y*: 15.48%
• 10Y*: —

DFIEX

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 1.73%
• YTD: 10.21%
• 6M: 12.90%
• 1Y: 26.74%
• 3Y*: 19.34%
• 5Y*: 9.40%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PFFSX PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund	14.66%	16.17%	30.14%	18.01%	-11.57%	26.30%	24.12%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	10.21%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	39.50%

Correlation

The correlation between PFFSX and DFIEX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2020	0.76

The correlation between PFFSX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PFFSX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFFSX

PFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 64
PFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
PFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
PFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
PFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 44
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund (PFFSX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). 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.

	PFFSX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.98	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.76	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.36	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.49	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	9.72	+3.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFFSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the DFIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFFSX and DFIEX, 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

	PFFSX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.98	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.60	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.36	+0.64

Drawdowns

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFFSX drawdown since its inception was -24.92%, smaller than the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFFSX and DFIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFFSX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.92%	-62.22%	+37.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.11%	-11.01%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.45%	-12.81%	-8.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.92%	-28.66%	+3.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-1.10%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-12.17%	+6.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.81%	-0.46%

Volatility

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund (PFFSX) is 2.86%, while DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) has a volatility of 4.06%. This indicates that PFFSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFFSX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	4.06%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	11.17%	-1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.43%	13.83%	-0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	15.75%	+3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.79%	16.39%	+2.40%

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFFSX has a 2.03% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFFSX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

PFFSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.00%, more than DFIEX's 2.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	2.93%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%
PFFSX PFG Sector Equity Business Cycle Strategy Fund	15.00%	17.19%	19.78%	2.40%	10.90%	6.73%	5.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFFSX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

PFFSX and DFIEX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFFSX or DFIEX?

DFIEX has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to PFFSX (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFFSX dropped -24.92% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.98), 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.