SCZ vs. DFISX
SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SCZ returned 8.64%/yr vs 8.53%/yr for DFISX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCZ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.
Performance
SCZ vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SCZ achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 7.65% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCZ having a 8.64% annualized return and DFISX not far behind at 8.53%.
SCZ
- 1D
- 0.47%
- 1M
- 1.01%
- YTD
- 9.70%
- 6M
- 11.43%
- 1Y
- 23.50%
- 3Y*
- 15.38%
- 5Y*
- 4.99%
- 10Y*
- 8.64%
DFISX
- 1D
- 2.27%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 7.65%
- 6M
- 9.88%
- 1Y
- 23.06%
- 3Y*
- 17.56%
- 5Y*
- 6.74%
- 10Y*
- 8.53%
SCZ vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF | 9.70% | 32.08% | 1.52% | 12.98% | -21.27% | 10.12% | 11.71% | 24.68% | -17.64% | 32.72% |
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio | 7.65% | 36.35% | 3.76% | 14.46% | -17.13% | 10.71% | 9.27% | 24.18% | -19.42% | 24.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between SCZ and DFISX 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2007 | 0.93 |
The correlation between SCZ and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SCZ vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank
SCZ
DFISX
SCZ vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) 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.
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.
| SCZ | DFISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.29 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.95 | 1.90 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.36 | 6.86 | +0.50 |
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Drawdowns
SCZ vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SCZ drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, roughly equal to the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCZ and DFISX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SCZ | DFISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.86% | -60.66% | -1.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.43% | -11.96% | +0.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.06% | -13.68% | -1.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.87% | -35.06% | -1.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.07% | -43.00% | +1.93% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.66% | -3.11% | +1.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.05% | -11.64% | -1.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.02% | 3.29% | -0.27% |
Volatility
SCZ vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) has a higher volatility of 5.27% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 4.59%. This indicates that SCZ'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.
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Volatility by Period
| SCZ | DFISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.27% | 4.59% | +0.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.52% | 11.57% | +0.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.93% | 14.17% | +0.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.81% | 15.96% | +0.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.43% | 16.21% | +1.22% |
SCZ vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SCZ has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
SCZ vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison
SCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than DFISX's 2.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio | 2.92% | 3.19% | 3.39% | 3.01% | 3.51% | 3.06% | 1.71% | 4.54% | 7.74% | 1.27% | 4.44% | 4.47% |
SCZ iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF | 3.01% | 3.30% | 3.50% | 2.96% | 1.99% | 2.96% | 1.52% | 3.52% | 2.79% | 2.38% | 2.82% | 2.06% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, SCZ and DFISX 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.
SCZ has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to DFISX (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCZ dropped -61.86% vs DFISX's -60.66%.
DFISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.49), 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.
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