VFSNX vs. DISMX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VFSNX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) and DISMX (DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VFSNX returned 7.47%/yr vs 7.24%/yr for DISMX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VFSNX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for DISMX.

Performance

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) and DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSNX achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than DISMX's 8.56% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFSNX having a 7.47% annualized return and DISMX not far behind at 7.24%.

VFSNX

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: -2.41%
• 6M: -0.72%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 1Y: 16.42%
• 3Y*: 12.78%
• 5Y*: 4.99%
• 10Y*: 7.47%
• ALL TIME*: 9.17%

DISMX

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 1.37%
• 6M: 3.54%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 1Y: 14.50%
• 3Y*: 12.79%
• 5Y*: 2.49%
• 10Y*: 7.24%
• ALL TIME*: 7.69%

*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)
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.53%	29.97%	2.63%	15.18%	-21.26%	12.74%	11.92%	21.72%	-18.46%	30.30%
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	8.56%	27.95%	1.30%	11.55%	-25.16%	9.27%	16.42%	25.78%	-17.96%	34.06%

Correlation

The correlation between VFSNX and DISMX is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.94

The correlation between VFSNX and DISMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFSNX vs. DISMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSNX

VFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

DISMX

DISMX Risk / Return Rank: 30
DISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
DISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
DISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
DISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
DISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) and DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX). 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.

	VFSNX	DISMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	0.99	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	1.49	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.18	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	1.21	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	4.40	-0.01

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is comparable to the DISMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSNX and DISMX, 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

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSNX drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, which is greater than DISMX's maximum drawdown of -41.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSNX and DISMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFSNX	DISMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.65%	-41.53%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.47%	-12.22%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.70%	-14.15%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.75%	-41.53%	+7.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.65%	-41.53%	-2.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.61%	-0.39%	-6.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.44%	-10.41%	+0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.34%	+0.23%

Volatility

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) has a higher volatility of 5.02% compared to DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) at 4.40%. This indicates that VFSNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DISMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFSNX	DISMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	4.40%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	12.65%	+0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.84%	15.00%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.27%	16.87%	-1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.65%	16.19%	-0.54%

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSNX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than DISMX's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFSNX vs. DISMX - Dividend Comparison

VFSNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.29%, more than DISMX's 1.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	1.87%	1.98%	2.48%	2.15%	2.17%	1.89%	1.11%	2.31%	5.59%	3.79%	1.73%	2.75%
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.29%	3.36%	3.41%	3.11%	2.26%	2.70%	1.90%	3.25%	2.81%	2.85%	2.93%	2.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFSNX and DISMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VFSNX and DISMX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VFSNX or DISMX?

VFSNX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to DISMX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFSNX dropped -43.65% vs DISMX's -41.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.99), 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.