AVSC vs. DFAT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSC (Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF) and DFAT (Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. AVSC is passively managed, while DFAT is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSC returned 17.09%/yr vs 16.49%/yr for DFAT. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVSC charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for DFAT.

Performance

AVSC vs. DFAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) and Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (DFAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSC achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly higher than DFAT's 13.26% return.

AVSC

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 16.85%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 38.76%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAT

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 13.26%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 30.02%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVSC vs. DFAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	16.85%	9.42%	7.75%	19.68%	-11.72%
DFAT Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF	13.26%	8.73%	7.80%	20.86%	-7.80%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSC and DFAT 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	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 2022	0.97

The correlation between AVSC and DFAT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSC vs. DFAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSC	DFAT
Financial Services	22.4%	28.0%
Consumer Cyclical	14.9%	14.4%
Industrials	13.0%	15.9%
Technology	12.6%	9.2%
Healthcare	11.5%	6.2%
Energy	9.5%	11.5%
Basic Materials	5.5%	5.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	6.7%
Communication Services	3.0%	1.8%
Utilities	2.0%	0.4%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.9%

Return for Risk

AVSC vs. DFAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVSC

AVSC Risk / Return Rank: 70
AVSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AVSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
AVSC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
AVSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AVSC Martin Ratio Rank: 78

DFAT

DFAT Risk / Return Rank: 55
DFAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
DFAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
DFAT Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFAT Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

AVSC vs. DFAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) and Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (DFAT). 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.

	AVSC	DFAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.81	+0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.67	+0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.93	3.16	+1.78
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.33	10.13	+5.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVSC vs. DFAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSC Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the DFAT Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSC and DFAT, 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

	AVSC	DFAT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	1.81	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.45	-0.05

Drawdowns

AVSC vs. DFAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSC drawdown since its inception was -28.40%, which is greater than DFAT's maximum drawdown of -26.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSC and DFAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSC	DFAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.40%	-26.12%	-2.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-9.55%	+1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.40%	-26.12%	-2.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-0.75%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-6.24%	-1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.97%	-0.43%

Volatility

AVSC vs. DFAT - Volatility Comparison

Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF (AVSC) has a higher volatility of 4.49% compared to Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (DFAT) at 4.06%. This indicates that AVSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSC	DFAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	4.06%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	10.88%	+0.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.10%	16.75%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	21.48%	+0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	21.48%	+0.86%

AVSC vs. DFAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSC has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAT's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVSC vs. DFAT - Dividend Comparison

AVSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than DFAT's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AVSC Avantis US Small Cap Equity ETF	0.92%	1.16%	1.17%	1.42%	1.10%	0.00%
DFAT Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF	1.45%	1.55%	1.31%	1.34%	1.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSC and DFAT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, AVSC and DFAT 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, AVSC or DFAT?

AVSC has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to DFAT (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSC dropped -28.40% vs DFAT's -26.12%.

Which ETF is better, AVSC or DFAT?

On 3-year performance, AVSC leads with 17.09% vs 16.49% for DFAT. On fees, AVSC is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, DFAT has been the lower-risk option at 4.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSC or DFAT?

Over the 3-year period, AVSC has performed better with a 17.09% return vs 16.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSC or DFAT?

AVSC is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DFAT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSC or DFAT?

DFAT has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.92% for AVSC.

What is the main difference between AVSC and DFAT?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for AVSC and 0.28% for DFAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.81), 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.