AVANX vs. DFISX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

AVANX (Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, AVANX returned 28.34%/yr vs 18.63%/yr for DFISX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep.

Performance

AVANX vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G (AVANX) 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, AVANX achieves a 16.56% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.02% return.

AVANX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 16.56%
• 6M: 19.94%
• 1Y: 44.09%
• 3Y*: 28.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFISX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -0.04%
• YTD: 9.02%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 18.63%
• 5Y*: 6.98%
• 10Y*: 8.26%

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

AVANX vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVANX Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G	16.56%	48.78%	8.80%	17.17%	-7.66%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	9.02%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-12.81%

Correlation

The correlation between AVANX and DFISX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2022	0.97

The correlation between AVANX and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVANX vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVANX

AVANX Risk / Return Rank: 81
AVANX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
AVANX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AVANX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AVANX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
AVANX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 39
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

AVANX vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G (AVANX) 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.

	AVANX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	1.83	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	2.60	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.33	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	2.10	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	7.74	+5.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVANX vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVANX Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is higher than the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVANX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVANX	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89	1.83	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.05	0.46	+0.59

Drawdowns

AVANX vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVANX drawdown since its inception was -25.35%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVANX and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVANX	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.35%	-60.66%	+35.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-11.96%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.83%	-13.68%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.06%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.87%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-11.64%	+6.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.23%	3.24%	-0.01%

Volatility

AVANX vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G (AVANX) has a higher volatility of 4.44% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 3.84%. This indicates that AVANX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVANX	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	3.84%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.49%	11.04%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.24%	13.73%	+1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.08%	15.89%	+1.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.08%	16.19%	+0.89%

Dividends

AVANX vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

AVANX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.32%, more than DFISX's 2.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVANX Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G	9.32%	10.86%	4.74%	3.87%	3.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	2.88%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVANX and DFISX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, AVANX and DFISX 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, AVANX or DFISX?

AVANX has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to DFISX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVANX dropped -25.35% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVANX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 1.83), 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.