SRFMX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SRFMX (Sarofim Equity Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - SRFMX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Sarofim, while DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SRFMX returned 12.92%/yr vs 10.01%/yr for DFIEX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SRFMX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sarofim Equity Fund (SRFMX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SRFMX achieves a 3.77% return, which is significantly lower than DFIEX's 11.05% return. Over the past 10 years, SRFMX has outperformed DFIEX with an annualized return of 12.92%, while DFIEX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.01% annualized return.

SRFMX

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 3.77%
• 6M: 3.92%
• 1Y: 12.01%
• 3Y*: 13.04%
• 5Y*: 8.27%
• 10Y*: 12.92%

DFIEX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 3.55%
• YTD: 11.05%
• 6M: 14.04%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.64%
• 5Y*: 9.78%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

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

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SRFMX Sarofim Equity Fund	3.77%	11.35%	13.67%	21.41%	-19.20%	27.72%	24.38%	35.64%	-6.98%	25.90%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	11.05%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	21.70%	-17.41%	28.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SRFMX and DFIEX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.75

The correlation between SRFMX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SRFMX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SRFMX

SRFMX Risk / Return Rank: 13
SRFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
SRFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
SRFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
SRFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
SRFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

DFIEX

DFIEX Risk / Return Rank: 45
DFIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DFIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
DFIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
DFIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DFIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sarofim Equity Fund (SRFMX) and DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX). 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.

	SRFMX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.99	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	2.76	-1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.36	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	2.49	-1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.93	9.74	-5.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SRFMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the DFIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SRFMX and DFIEX, 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

	SRFMX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03	1.99	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.62	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.61	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.37	+0.21

Drawdowns

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SRFMX drawdown since its inception was -32.46%, smaller than the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SRFMX and DFIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SRFMX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.46%	-62.22%	+29.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.05%	-11.01%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.95%	-12.81%	-4.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.63%	-28.66%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.46%	-41.04%	+8.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	-0.35%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.89%	-12.18%	+6.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	2.81%	+0.31%

Volatility

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Sarofim Equity Fund (SRFMX) is 2.68%, while DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) has a volatility of 4.11%. This indicates that SRFMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SRFMX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	4.11%	-1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.26%	11.15%	-1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	13.85%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.96%	15.75%	+2.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.61%	16.39%	+2.22%

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SRFMX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

SRFMX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

SRFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 30.87%, more than DFIEX's 2.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	2.91%	3.22%	3.42%	3.36%	2.88%	2.98%	1.77%	2.90%	2.95%	2.49%	2.76%	4.20%
SRFMX Sarofim Equity Fund	30.87%	31.88%	18.62%	11.14%	8.76%	8.36%	7.36%	5.03%	7.42%	5.41%	1.68%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SRFMX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

SRFMX and DFIEX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SRFMX or DFIEX?

DFIEX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to SRFMX (2.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SRFMX dropped -32.46% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.03), 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.