PINZX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PINZX (Principal Overseas Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PINZX returned 12.14%/yr vs 9.98%/yr for DFIEX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PINZX charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Overseas Fund (PINZX) 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, PINZX achieves a 14.26% return, which is significantly higher than DFIEX's 10.70% return. Over the past 10 years, PINZX has outperformed DFIEX with an annualized return of 12.14%, while DFIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.98% annualized return.

PINZX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 6.11%
• YTD: 14.26%
• 6M: 19.16%
• 1Y: 33.91%
• 3Y*: 25.24%
• 5Y*: 15.36%
• 10Y*: 12.14%

DFIEX

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 2.23%
• YTD: 10.70%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 26.82%
• 3Y*: 19.52%
• 5Y*: 9.59%
• 10Y*: 9.98%

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

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PINZX Principal Overseas Fund	14.26%	40.18%	13.98%	22.59%	-4.87%	11.15%	4.09%	20.84%	-17.91%	25.59%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	10.70%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	21.70%	-17.41%	28.04%

Correlation

The correlation between PINZX and DFIEX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2008	0.95

The correlation between PINZX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PINZX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PINZX

PINZX Risk / Return Rank: 50
PINZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
PINZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PINZX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
PINZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PINZX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 48
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Overseas Fund (PINZX) 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.

	PINZX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.06	+0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	2.86	+0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.37	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.66	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.61	10.43	-0.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PINZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the DFIEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PINZX 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

	PINZX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.06	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	0.61	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.61	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.36	+0.04

Drawdowns

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PINZX drawdown since its inception was -44.27%, smaller than the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PINZX and DFIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PINZX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.27%	-62.22%	+17.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.53%	-11.01%	-2.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.87%	-12.81%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.96%	-28.66%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.27%	-41.04%	-3.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.66%	+0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.25%	-12.18%	+2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	2.81%	+0.82%

Volatility

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison

Principal Overseas Fund (PINZX) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) at 4.14%. This indicates that PINZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PINZX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	4.14%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.12%	11.17%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.96%	13.87%	+2.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.24%	15.75%	+1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	16.39%	+1.78%

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PINZX has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

PINZX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

PINZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.50%, more than DFIEX's 2.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	2.92%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%
PINZX Principal Overseas Fund	8.50%	9.71%	29.12%	6.31%	8.23%	7.70%	1.85%	3.08%	10.03%	3.15%	2.04%	4.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PINZX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, PINZX and DFIEX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PINZX or DFIEX?

PINZX has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to DFIEX (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PINZX dropped -44.27% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PINZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 2.06), 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.