SWSSX vs. DFISX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

SWSSX (Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - SWSSX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. SWSSX is passively managed, while DFISX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SWSSX returned 10.76%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for DFISX. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SWSSX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) 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, SWSSX achieves a 20.94% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.65% return. Over the past 10 years, SWSSX has outperformed DFISX with an annualized return of 10.76%, while DFISX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.39% annualized return.

SWSSX

• 1D: 1.73%
• 1M: -0.41%
• 6M: 13.29%
• YTD: 20.94%
• 1Y: 36.49%
• 3Y*: 16.70%
• 5Y*: 7.82%
• 10Y*: 10.76%
• ALL TIME*: 8.61%

DFISX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.95%
• 6M: 3.27%
• YTD: 9.65%
• 1Y: 20.86%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 7.25%
• 10Y*: 8.39%
• ALL TIME*: 7.30%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	20.94%	12.88%	11.57%	17.07%	-20.43%	14.77%	20.12%	25.63%	-11.19%	14.76%
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 SWSSX and DFISX is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1998	0.58

The correlation between SWSSX and DFISX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (all time) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SWSSX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SWSSX

SWSSX Risk / Return Rank: 84
SWSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
SWSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SWSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SWSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SWSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) 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.

	SWSSX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.55	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.23	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.28	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	1.87	+1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	6.38	+6.37

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWSSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWSSX 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.

Drawdowns

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWSSX drawdown since its inception was -60.34%, roughly equal to the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWSSX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWSSX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.34%	-60.66%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.00%	-11.96%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.50%	-13.68%	-13.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.93%	-35.06%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.81%	-43.00%	+1.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.33%	-1.30%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.67%	-11.60%	+0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	3.49%	-0.39%

Volatility

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares (SWSSX) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) have volatilities of 4.22% and 4.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SWSSX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	4.24%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.15%	11.95%	+2.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.38%	14.46%	+4.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.57%	15.97%	+6.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.08%	15.96%	+8.12%

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWSSX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

SWSSX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

SWSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than DFISX's 2.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.89%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%
SWSSX Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund-Select Shares	1.06%	1.29%	1.66%	1.49%	1.32%	8.88%	2.55%	6.12%	10.45%	5.22%	4.10%	6.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWSSX and DFISX in my portfolio?

SWSSX and DFISX 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, SWSSX or DFISX?

DFISX has higher volatility (4.24%) compared to SWSSX (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWSSX dropped -60.34% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWSSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.55), 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.