SFILX vs. DFSCX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SFILX (Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund) and DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - SFILX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Charles Schwab, while DFSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SFILX returned 8.44%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for DFSCX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SFILX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DFSCX.

Performance

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund (SFILX) 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, SFILX achieves a 11.83% return, which is significantly lower than DFSCX's 16.94% return. Over the past 10 years, SFILX has underperformed DFSCX with an annualized return of 8.44%, while DFSCX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.20% annualized return.

SFILX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 1.41%
• YTD: 11.83%
• 6M: 14.41%
• 1Y: 28.51%
• 3Y*: 18.61%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 8.44%

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)

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFILX Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund	11.83%	36.17%	1.29%	14.80%	-14.89%	9.69%	7.50%	19.58%	-18.67%	26.08%
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 SFILX and DFSCX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	0.68

The correlation between SFILX and DFSCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFILX vs. DFSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFILX

SFILX Risk / Return Rank: 47
SFILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SFILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SFILX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SFILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
SFILX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund (SFILX) 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.

	SFILX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.16	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	3.11	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.37	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	4.65	-2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.10	14.95	-5.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFILX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the DFSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFILX 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

	SFILX	DFSCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	2.16	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.43	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.50	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.61	-0.01

Drawdowns

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFILX drawdown since its inception was -43.13%, smaller than the maximum DFSCX drawdown of -63.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFILX and DFSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFILX	DFSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.13%	-63.07%	+19.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.35%	-8.17%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.05%	-27.01%	+13.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.29%	-27.01%	-5.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.13%	-46.88%	+3.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.37%	0.00%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.19%	-9.91%	+1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.53%	+0.53%

Volatility

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund (SFILX) is 3.73%, while DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that SFILX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFILX	DFSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	4.48%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.59%	11.59%	-1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.32%	17.57%	-4.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.27%	21.01%	-5.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.15%	22.64%	-6.49%

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFILX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSCX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFILX vs. DFSCX - Dividend Comparison

SFILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.52%, 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%
SFILX Schwab Fundamental International Small Company Index Fund	7.52%	8.41%	4.71%	3.11%	4.88%	6.00%	1.98%	2.78%	5.77%	1.41%	2.45%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFILX and DFSCX in my portfolio?

SFILX and DFSCX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFILX or DFSCX?

DFSCX has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to SFILX (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFILX dropped -43.13% vs DFSCX's -63.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.10), 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.