TFSCX vs. DFVQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TFSCX (Templeton Institutional Foreign Smaller Companies Series Fund) and DFVQX (DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, TFSCX returned 5.04%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for DFVQX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TFSCX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for DFVQX.

Performance

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Templeton Institutional Foreign Smaller Companies Series Fund (TFSCX) and DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio (DFVQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TFSCX achieves a 12.57% return, which is significantly higher than DFVQX's 11.85% return. Over the past 10 years, TFSCX has underperformed DFVQX with an annualized return of 5.04%, while DFVQX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.99% annualized return.

TFSCX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 12.57%
• 6M: 15.33%
• 1Y: 18.21%
• 3Y*: 9.59%
• 5Y*: 0.96%
• 10Y*: 5.04%

DFVQX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 11.85%
• 6M: 15.01%
• 1Y: 30.09%
• 3Y*: 20.79%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

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

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TFSCX Templeton Institutional Foreign Smaller Companies Series Fund	12.57%	10.61%	-2.43%	15.89%	-23.28%	10.58%	8.95%	22.86%	-18.60%	30.60%
DFVQX DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio	11.85%	38.02%	4.55%	17.05%	-12.54%	15.01%	6.10%	20.87%	-19.03%	27.51%

Correlation

The correlation between TFSCX and DFVQX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.86

The correlation between TFSCX and DFVQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TFSCX vs. DFVQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TFSCX

TFSCX Risk / Return Rank: 19
TFSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
TFSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
TFSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
TFSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TFSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

DFVQX

DFVQX Risk / Return Rank: 51
DFVQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DFVQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
DFVQX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFVQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
DFVQX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Templeton Institutional Foreign Smaller Companies Series Fund (TFSCX) and DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio (DFVQX). 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.

	TFSCX	DFVQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	2.18	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	3.02	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	2.69	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.49	10.47	-5.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TFSCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the DFVQX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TFSCX and DFVQX, 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

	TFSCX	DFVQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.30	2.18	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.67	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.61	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.61	-0.06

Drawdowns

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TFSCX drawdown since its inception was -61.28%, which is greater than DFVQX's maximum drawdown of -44.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TFSCX and DFVQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TFSCX	DFVQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.28%	-44.58%	-16.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.58%	-10.98%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.10%	-13.00%	-7.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.98%	-28.33%	-9.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.43%	-44.58%	+1.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-0.65%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.24%	-7.85%	-3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.80%	2.80%	+1.00%

Volatility

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Volatility Comparison

Templeton Institutional Foreign Smaller Companies Series Fund (TFSCX) and DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio (DFVQX) have volatilities of 4.12% and 4.02%, 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

	TFSCX	DFVQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	4.02%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.41%	11.02%	-0.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.14%	13.62%	-0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.65%	15.64%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.08%	16.54%	-0.46%

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TFSCX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than DFVQX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

TFSCX vs. DFVQX - Dividend Comparison

TFSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 63.76%, more than DFVQX's 2.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFVQX DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio	2.91%	3.06%	3.56%	3.47%	2.73%	4.76%	1.79%	2.68%	5.96%	1.81%	2.15%	2.77%
TFSCX Templeton Institutional Foreign Smaller Companies Series Fund	63.76%	71.78%	14.37%	1.28%	2.34%	16.40%	1.23%	3.06%	14.00%	3.83%	1.83%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TFSCX and DFVQX in my portfolio?

TFSCX and DFVQX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TFSCX or DFVQX?

TFSCX has higher volatility (4.12%) compared to DFVQX (4.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TFSCX dropped -61.28% vs DFVQX's -44.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFVQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.30), 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.