SCETX vs. DFISX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCETX (Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - SCETX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Virtus, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SCETX returned 8.10%/yr vs 8.36%/yr for DFISX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCETX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

SCETX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund (SCETX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCETX achieves a 17.12% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.65% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCETX having a 8.10% annualized return and DFISX not far ahead at 8.36%.

SCETX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 17.12%
• 6M: 15.50%
• 1Y: 30.29%
• 3Y*: 13.43%
• 5Y*: 7.27%
• 10Y*: 8.10%

DFISX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 9.65%
• 6M: 13.12%
• 1Y: 26.38%
• 3Y*: 18.77%
• 5Y*: 7.30%
• 10Y*: 8.36%

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

SCETX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCETX Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund	17.12%	1.59%	8.53%	14.49%	-9.79%	27.43%	0.92%	17.62%	-12.81%	10.30%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	9.65%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	24.18%	-19.42%	24.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SCETX and DFISX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 1997	0.58

The correlation between SCETX and DFISX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (all time) to 0.70 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SCETX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCETX

SCETX Risk / Return Rank: 43
SCETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SCETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SCETX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SCETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SCETX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 38
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

SCETX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund (SCETX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). 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.

	SCETX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.87	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.65	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.15	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.56	7.90	+1.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCETX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCETX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCETX and DFISX, 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

	SCETX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	1.87	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.46	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.52	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.47	+0.01

Drawdowns

SCETX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCETX drawdown since its inception was -55.69%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCETX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCETX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.69%	-60.66%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.82%	-11.96%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.66%	-13.68%	-17.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.66%	-35.06%	+3.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.64%	-43.00%	-5.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.31%	+1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.63%	-11.64%	+2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	3.24%	+0.18%

Volatility

SCETX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund (SCETX) has a higher volatility of 4.39% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 3.78%. This indicates that SCETX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCETX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	3.78%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	11.00%	+1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.01%	13.77%	+4.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	15.89%	+6.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.35%	16.20%	+6.15%

SCETX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCETX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCETX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

SCETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than DFISX's 2.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.87%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%
SCETX Virtus Ceredex Small-Cap Value Equity Fund	0.93%	1.09%	12.45%	11.39%	22.49%	18.08%	1.29%	5.64%	19.10%	17.59%	4.37%	37.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCETX and DFISX in my portfolio?

SCETX and DFISX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCETX or DFISX?

SCETX has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to DFISX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCETX dropped -55.69% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.82), 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.