AVDV vs. DFIVX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AVDV (Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF) and DFIVX (DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class) are both funds - AVDV is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while DFIVX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVDV returned 13.85%/yr vs 14.86%/yr for DFIVX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVDV charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DFIVX.

Performance

AVDV vs. DFIVX - 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 Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVDV achieves a 13.23% return, which is significantly higher than DFIVX's 12.21% return.

AVDV

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -1.84%
• YTD: 13.23%
• 6M: 12.69%
• 1Y: 40.80%
• 3Y*: 27.46%
• 5Y*: 13.85%
• 10Y*: —

DFIVX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 12.21%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 35.91%
• 3Y*: 24.00%
• 5Y*: 14.86%
• 10Y*: 12.43%

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

AVDV vs. DFIVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	13.23%	49.37%	8.67%	16.85%	-11.47%	15.80%	5.01%	11.78%
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	12.21%	45.24%	6.87%	17.83%	-3.51%	18.57%	-2.13%	8.06%

Correlation

The correlation between AVDV and DFIVX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 26, 2019	0.92

The correlation between AVDV and DFIVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVDV vs. DFIVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVDV

AVDV Risk / Return Rank: 74
AVDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
AVDV Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AVDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
AVDV Martin Ratio Rank: 69

DFIVX

DFIVX Risk / Return Rank: 83
DFIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DFIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
DFIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. DFIVX - 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 Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX). 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.

	AVDV	DFIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.58	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.45	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.46	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	3.81	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.36	14.86	-2.51

AVDV vs. DFIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the DFIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVDV and DFIVX, 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

AVDV vs. DFIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVDV drawdown since its inception was -43.01%, smaller than the maximum DFIVX drawdown of -66.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVDV and DFIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVDV	DFIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.01%	-66.61%	+23.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.19%	-9.58%	-3.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-14.39%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.08%	-25.29%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.11%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.73%	-0.99%	-2.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.74%	-12.22%	+5.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	2.45%	+0.86%

Volatility

AVDV vs. DFIVX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) has a higher volatility of 6.23% compared to DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIVX) at 4.21%. This indicates that AVDV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFIVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVDV	DFIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	4.21%	+2.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.14%	11.38%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.42%	14.21%	+2.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.41%	16.30%	+1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.76%	17.96%	+1.80%

AVDV vs. DFIVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVDV has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIVX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVDV vs. DFIVX - Dividend Comparison

AVDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, more than DFIVX's 3.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVDV Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF	4.17%	3.05%	4.31%	3.29%	3.17%	2.39%	1.67%	0.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio Institutional Class	3.75%	4.21%	3.94%	4.40%	3.78%	4.37%	2.42%	3.70%	6.60%	2.85%	3.36%	3.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVDV and DFIVX in my portfolio?

AVDV and DFIVX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVDV or DFIVX?

AVDV has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to DFIVX (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVDV dropped -43.01% vs DFIVX's -66.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 2.50), 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.