SCDGX vs. SCMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCDGX (DWS Core Equity Fund) and SCMAX (DWS Massachusetts Tax Free Fund) are both mutual funds - SCDGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by DWS, while SCMAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by DWS. Over the past 10 years, SCDGX returned 15.11%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for SCMAX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCDGX charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SCMAX.

Performance

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS Core Equity Fund (SCDGX) and DWS Massachusetts Tax Free Fund (SCMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCDGX achieves a 12.07% return, which is significantly higher than SCMAX's 1.54% return. Over the past 10 years, SCDGX has outperformed SCMAX with an annualized return of 15.11%, while SCMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.53% annualized return.

SCDGX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 6.28%
• YTD: 12.07%
• 6M: 12.08%
• 1Y: 30.54%
• 3Y*: 21.23%
• 5Y*: 13.23%
• 10Y*: 15.11%

SCMAX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.98%
• 1Y: 6.88%
• 3Y*: 3.11%
• 5Y*: -0.11%
• 10Y*: 1.53%

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

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCDGX DWS Core Equity Fund	12.07%	16.32%	20.01%	25.55%	-15.61%	25.54%	16.14%	35.68%	-6.06%	21.52%
SCMAX DWS Massachusetts Tax Free Fund	1.54%	3.28%	1.32%	5.24%	-11.25%	0.72%	5.08%	8.08%	0.37%	4.96%

Correlation

The correlation between SCDGX and SCMAX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1990	0.02

The correlation between SCDGX and SCMAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (10 years) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SCDGX vs. SCMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCDGX

SCDGX Risk / Return Rank: 76
SCDGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SCDGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SCDGX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SCDGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SCDGX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SCMAX

SCMAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SCMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SCMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SCMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SCMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS Core Equity Fund (SCDGX) and DWS Massachusetts Tax Free Fund (SCMAX). 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.

	SCDGX	SCMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.78	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	4.16	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.71	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	2.71	+0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.63	9.09	+5.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCDGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the SCMAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCDGX and SCMAX, 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

	SCDGX	SCMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.78	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	-0.03	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.39	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	1.24	-0.70

Drawdowns

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCDGX drawdown since its inception was -55.85%, which is greater than SCMAX's maximum drawdown of -16.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCDGX and SCMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCDGX	SCMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.85%	-16.28%	-39.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-2.55%	-6.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.72%	-5.89%	-14.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.77%	-16.28%	-6.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.07%	-16.28%	-18.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-1.44%	+1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.57%	-2.17%	-6.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	0.76%	+1.39%

Volatility

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Core Equity Fund (SCDGX) has a higher volatility of 3.23% compared to DWS Massachusetts Tax Free Fund (SCMAX) at 0.99%. This indicates that SCDGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCDGX	SCMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	0.99%	+2.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.16%	1.98%	+7.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.02%	2.51%	+9.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.08%	3.80%	+13.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.40%	3.97%	+14.43%

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCDGX has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than SCMAX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCDGX vs. SCMAX - Dividend Comparison

SCDGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.49%, more than SCMAX's 2.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCDGX DWS Core Equity Fund	9.49%	10.50%	9.11%	5.12%	9.28%	14.09%	6.70%	8.88%	14.12%	6.15%	6.92%	8.72%
SCMAX DWS Massachusetts Tax Free Fund	2.90%	3.10%	2.69%	2.02%	1.72%	1.59%	2.66%	3.45%	3.34%	3.36%	3.60%	3.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCDGX and SCMAX in my portfolio?

SCDGX and SCMAX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCDGX or SCMAX?

SCDGX has higher volatility (3.23%) compared to SCMAX (0.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCDGX dropped -55.85% vs SCMAX's -16.28%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.63), 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.