PSBMX vs. DFSCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSBMX (Principal SmallCap Fund) and DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PSBMX returned 10.48%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for DFSCX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PSBMX charges 1.31%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DFSCX.

Performance

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) 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, PSBMX achieves a 12.65% return, which is significantly lower than DFSCX's 16.94% return. Over the past 10 years, PSBMX has underperformed DFSCX with an annualized return of 10.48%, while DFSCX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.20% annualized return.

PSBMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 12.65%
• 6M: 10.05%
• 1Y: 34.21%
• 3Y*: 14.84%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

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)

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	12.65%	14.58%	8.53%	15.11%	-20.51%	19.21%	21.44%	26.97%	-11.42%	12.35%
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 PSBMX and DFSCX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.95

The correlation between PSBMX and DFSCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PSBMX vs. DFSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSBMX

PSBMX Risk / Return Rank: 52
PSBMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
PSBMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
PSBMX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
PSBMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
PSBMX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PSBMX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.16	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.11	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.37	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	4.65	-1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.82	14.95	-3.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSBMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the DFSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSBMX 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

	PSBMX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.16	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.43	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.50	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.61	-0.22

Drawdowns

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSBMX drawdown since its inception was -60.15%, roughly equal to the maximum DFSCX drawdown of -63.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSBMX and DFSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSBMX	DFSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.15%	-63.07%	+2.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.10%	-8.17%	-3.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.13%	-27.01%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.32%	-27.01%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.04%	-46.88%	+4.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	0.00%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.79%	-9.91%	-0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.53%	+0.53%

Volatility

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Volatility Comparison

Principal SmallCap Fund (PSBMX) has a higher volatility of 4.99% compared to DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) at 4.48%. This indicates that PSBMX'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

	PSBMX	DFSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.99%	4.48%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.40%	11.59%	+1.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.59%	17.57%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.01%	21.01%	+1.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.37%	22.64%	-0.27%

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSBMX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSCX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSBMX vs. DFSCX - Dividend Comparison

PSBMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, 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%
PSBMX Principal SmallCap Fund	4.96%	5.58%	3.66%	2.91%	0.00%	7.82%	2.28%	5.83%	16.72%	8.65%	2.29%	3.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSBMX and DFSCX in my portfolio?

PSBMX and DFSCX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSBMX or DFSCX?

PSBMX has higher volatility (4.99%) compared to DFSCX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSBMX dropped -60.15% vs DFSCX's -63.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 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.