AVSE vs. DFESX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AVSE (Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and DFESX (DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 3 years, AVSE returned 26.82%/yr vs 22.99%/yr for DFESX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVSE charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DFESX.

Performance

AVSE vs. DFESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) and DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AVSE having a 31.03% return and DFESX slightly lower at 29.94%.

AVSE

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 9.36%
• YTD: 31.03%
• 6M: 32.34%
• 1Y: 54.39%
• 3Y*: 26.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFESX

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: 7.57%
• YTD: 29.94%
• 6M: 31.59%
• 1Y: 53.45%
• 3Y*: 22.99%
• 5Y*: 10.04%
• 10Y*: 11.16%

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

AVSE vs. DFESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	31.03%	32.54%	8.29%	16.01%	-14.43%
DFESX DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio	29.94%	29.95%	7.16%	14.58%	-14.98%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSE and DFESX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2022	0.93

The correlation between AVSE and DFESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVSE vs. DFESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVSE

AVSE Risk / Return Rank: 80
AVSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AVSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
AVSE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
AVSE Martin Ratio Rank: 78

DFESX

DFESX Risk / Return Rank: 87
DFESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DFESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
DFESX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
DFESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
DFESX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

AVSE vs. DFESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) and DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX). 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.

	AVSE	DFESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	2.86	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.60	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.55	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.86	4.13	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.81	15.79	-0.97

AVSE vs. DFESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSE Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is comparable to the DFESX Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSE and DFESX, 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

AVSE vs. DFESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSE drawdown since its inception was -26.28%, smaller than the maximum DFESX drawdown of -41.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSE and DFESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSE	DFESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.28%	-41.43%	+15.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.17%	-12.79%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.68%	-16.53%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.41%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-10.73%	+3.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	3.33%	+0.35%

Volatility

AVSE vs. DFESX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) has a higher volatility of 10.74% compared to DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX) at 10.01%. This indicates that AVSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSE	DFESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.74%	10.01%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.14%	16.79%	+2.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.45%	18.50%	+2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.50%	15.59%	+2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.50%	16.31%	+2.19%

AVSE vs. DFESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSE has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than DFESX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVSE vs. DFESX - Dividend Comparison

AVSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than DFESX's 2.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.66%	2.68%	3.03%	3.20%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFESX DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio	2.11%	2.59%	3.15%	3.23%	3.17%	2.37%	1.64%	2.33%	2.37%	2.04%	2.05%	2.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSE and DFESX in my portfolio?

AVSE and DFESX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVSE or DFESX?

AVSE has higher volatility (10.74%) compared to DFESX (10.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSE dropped -26.28% vs DFESX's -41.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFESX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.55), 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.