USRAX vs. DFIEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USRAX (Horizon U.S. Defensive Equity Fund) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - USRAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Horizon Investments, while DFIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, USRAX returned 11.14%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for DFIEX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USRAX charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.

Performance

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Horizon U.S. Defensive Equity Fund (USRAX) 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, USRAX achieves a 9.58% return, which is significantly lower than DFIEX's 11.05% return.

USRAX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 4.48%
• YTD: 9.58%
• 6M: 10.11%
• 1Y: 20.61%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 11.14%
• 10Y*: —

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)

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
USRAX Horizon U.S. Defensive Equity Fund	9.58%	15.27%	17.68%	15.00%	-10.73%	27.99%	5.17%	5.87%
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I	11.05%	36.18%	3.99%	17.50%	-13.51%	13.85%	7.73%	8.59%

Correlation

The correlation between USRAX and DFIEX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2019	0.75

The correlation between USRAX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USRAX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRAX

USRAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
USRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
USRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
USRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
USRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
USRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Horizon U.S. Defensive Equity Fund (USRAX) 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.

	USRAX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	1.99	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	2.76	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.49	+0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.92	9.74	+4.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the DFIEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRAX 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

	USRAX	DFIEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	1.99	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.62	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.37	+0.39

Drawdowns

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRAX drawdown since its inception was -23.39%, smaller than the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRAX and DFIEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRAX	DFIEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.39%	-62.22%	+38.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.07%	-11.01%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.66%	-12.81%	-2.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.72%	-28.66%	+8.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.35%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.30%	-12.18%	+7.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	2.81%	-1.29%

Volatility

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Horizon U.S. Defensive Equity Fund (USRAX) is 1.96%, while DFA International Core Equity Portfolio I (DFIEX) has a volatility of 4.11%. This indicates that USRAX 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

	USRAX	DFIEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.96%	4.11%	-2.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.03%	11.15%	-4.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.76%	13.85%	-4.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.73%	15.75%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.71%	16.39%	-0.68%

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

USRAX has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

USRAX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison

USRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.40%, 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%
USRAX Horizon U.S. Defensive Equity Fund	6.40%	7.01%	8.57%	2.79%	0.80%	25.28%	0.30%	0.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRAX and DFIEX in my portfolio?

USRAX and DFIEX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USRAX or DFIEX?

DFIEX has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to USRAX (1.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRAX dropped -23.39% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.99), 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.