SFSNX vs. DFALX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SFSNX (Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund) and DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) are both mutual funds - SFSNX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Charles Schwab, while DFALX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SFSNX returned 11.20%/yr vs 10.35%/yr for DFALX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SFSNX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFALX.

Performance

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SFSNX achieves a 17.14% return, which is significantly higher than DFALX's 10.02% return. Over the past 10 years, SFSNX has outperformed DFALX with an annualized return of 11.20%, while DFALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.35% annualized return.

SFSNX

• 1D: 2.55%
• 1M: 4.00%
• YTD: 17.14%
• 6M: 14.64%
• 1Y: 34.12%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 10Y*: 11.20%

DFALX

• 1D: 2.73%
• 1M: 2.09%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 25.05%
• 3Y*: 18.07%
• 5Y*: 9.39%
• 10Y*: 10.35%

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

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund	17.14%	7.66%	8.99%	20.15%	-14.79%	30.91%	8.49%	24.44%	-12.26%	12.84%
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	10.02%	33.60%	4.55%	17.88%	-13.04%	12.79%	8.13%	22.05%	-14.15%	25.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SFSNX and DFALX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008	0.75

The correlation between SFSNX and DFALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFSNX vs. DFALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFSNX

SFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 68
SFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DFALX

DFALX Risk / Return Rank: 53
DFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
DFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). 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.

	SFSNX	DFALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.70	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.39	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	2.32	+1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.94	8.96	+1.97

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFSNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the DFALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFSNX and DFALX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFSNX drawdown since its inception was -58.32%, roughly equal to the maximum DFALX drawdown of -59.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFSNX and DFALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFSNX	DFALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.32%	-59.76%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.43%	-10.70%	+1.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.91%	-13.11%	-12.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.91%	-27.52%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.82%	-35.58%	-9.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.81%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-12.00%	+3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.76%	+0.13%

Volatility

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) at 4.92%. This indicates that SFSNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFSNX	DFALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	4.92%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.32%	12.05%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.42%	14.60%	+2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.86%	15.77%	+5.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.29%	16.19%	+7.10%

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFSNX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than DFALX's 0.18% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SFSNX vs. DFALX - Dividend Comparison

SFSNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than DFALX's 2.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	2.75%	2.89%	3.18%	3.24%	2.86%	3.00%	1.88%	2.88%	3.07%	2.55%	2.89%	2.94%
SFSNX Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund	1.16%	1.36%	1.71%	1.37%	7.05%	12.27%	1.42%	3.66%	11.55%	6.88%	1.86%	6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SFSNX and DFALX in my portfolio?

SFSNX and DFALX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFSNX or DFALX?

SFSNX has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to DFALX (4.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFSNX dropped -58.32% vs DFALX's -59.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SFSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.70), 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.