PRASX vs. DFRSX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PRASX (T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund) and DFRSX (DFA Asia Pacific Small Company) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRASX returned 10.37%/yr vs 6.94%/yr for DFRSX. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRASX charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for DFRSX.

Performance

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund (PRASX) and DFA Asia Pacific Small Company (DFRSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRASX achieves a 32.48% return, which is significantly higher than DFRSX's 3.91% return. Over the past 10 years, PRASX has outperformed DFRSX with an annualized return of 10.37%, while DFRSX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.94% annualized return.

PRASX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 9.54%
• YTD: 32.48%
• 6M: 34.20%
• 1Y: 57.12%
• 3Y*: 21.34%
• 5Y*: 4.94%
• 10Y*: 10.37%

DFRSX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 3.91%
• 6M: 2.29%
• 1Y: 28.91%
• 3Y*: 14.62%
• 5Y*: 4.17%
• 10Y*: 6.94%

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

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRASX T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund	32.48%	26.60%	6.97%	0.83%	-22.60%	-4.33%	29.56%	26.75%	-15.13%	40.64%
DFRSX DFA Asia Pacific Small Company	3.91%	34.73%	0.27%	3.99%	-16.96%	12.59%	14.24%	13.30%	-15.48%	25.17%

Correlation

The correlation between PRASX and DFRSX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	0.66

The correlation between PRASX and DFRSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRASX vs. DFRSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRASX

PRASX Risk / Return Rank: 82
PRASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
PRASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
PRASX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
PRASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PRASX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

DFRSX

DFRSX Risk / Return Rank: 39
DFRSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DFRSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
DFRSX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
DFRSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
DFRSX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund (PRASX) and DFA Asia Pacific Small Company (DFRSX). 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.

	PRASX	DFRSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	1.85	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	2.54	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.34	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.96	2.09	+1.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.70	6.06	+8.64

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRASX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is higher than the DFRSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRASX and DFRSX, 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

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRASX drawdown since its inception was -70.53%, roughly equal to the maximum DFRSX drawdown of -69.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRASX and DFRSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRASX	DFRSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.53%	-69.06%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.39%	-14.20%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.34%	-21.29%	+2.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.56%	-30.18%	-11.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.07%	-46.25%	+1.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.54%	+6.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.50%	-17.20%	-1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.87%	4.88%	-1.01%

Volatility

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund (PRASX) has a higher volatility of 11.93% compared to DFA Asia Pacific Small Company (DFRSX) at 5.18%. This indicates that PRASX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFRSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRASX	DFRSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.93%	5.18%	+6.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.50%	13.33%	+6.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.91%	16.09%	+5.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.61%	17.36%	+2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.59%	17.07%	+1.52%

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRASX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than DFRSX's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRASX vs. DFRSX - Dividend Comparison

PRASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, less than DFRSX's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFRSX DFA Asia Pacific Small Company	4.73%	4.92%	4.66%	4.70%	9.99%	12.82%	2.91%	4.56%	3.48%	4.01%	3.79%	3.96%
PRASX T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund	0.47%	0.62%	1.05%	1.77%	1.96%	14.22%	0.46%	0.77%	7.23%	9.15%	0.46%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRASX and DFRSX in my portfolio?

PRASX and DFRSX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRASX or DFRSX?

PRASX has higher volatility (11.93%) compared to DFRSX (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRASX dropped -70.53% vs DFRSX's -69.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRASX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.85), 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.