AVDV vs. DFISX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, AVDV returned 13.10%/yr vs 6.98%/yr for DFISX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVDV charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.

Performance

AVDV vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) 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, AVDV achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 9.02% return.

AVDV

• 1D: -3.19%
• 1M: -2.06%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 15.80%
• 1Y: 39.70%
• 3Y*: 26.89%
• 5Y*: 13.10%
• 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)

AVDV vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	12.92%	49.37%	8.67%	16.85%	-11.47%	15.80%	5.01%	12.05%
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	9.02%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	11.82%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDV and DFISX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.94

The correlation between AVDV and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVDV vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDV

AVDV Risk / Return Rank: 72
AVDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
AVDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
AVDV Omega Ratio Rank: 78
AVDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
AVDV Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

AVDV vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) 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.

	AVDV	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.83	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	2.60	+0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.33	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	2.10	+0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.23	7.74	+4.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVDV vs. DFISX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the DFISX Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDV 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

	AVDV	DFISX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	1.83	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.44	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.46	+0.31

Drawdowns

AVDV vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDV drawdown since its inception was -43.01%, smaller than the maximum DFISX drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDV and DFISX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDV	DFISX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.01%	-60.66%	+17.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.19%	-11.96%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-13.68%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	-35.06%	+6.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-1.87%	-2.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.77%	-11.64%	+4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.25%	3.24%	+0.01%

Volatility

AVDV vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) has a higher volatility of 5.49% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 3.84%. This indicates that AVDV'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

	AVDV	DFISX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	3.84%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.49%	11.04%	+2.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.89%	13.73%	+2.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	15.89%	+1.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.76%	16.19%	+3.57%

AVDV vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDV has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is lower than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVDV vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison

AVDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, less than DFISX's 2.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	2.82%	3.05%	4.31%	3.29%	3.17%	2.39%	1.67%	0.36%	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 AVDV and DFISX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, AVDV 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, AVDV or DFISX?

AVDV has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to DFISX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDV dropped -43.01% vs DFISX's -60.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 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.