BSMC vs. DFSV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BSMC (Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF) and DFSV (Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BSMC returned 32.91% vs 39.62% for DFSV. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BSMC charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for DFSV.

Performance

BSMC vs. DFSV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) and Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BSMC achieves a 17.58% return, which is significantly lower than DFSV's 22.89% return.

BSMC

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 3.08%
• 6M: 10.68%
• YTD: 17.58%
• 1Y: 32.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.93%

DFSV

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 3.80%
• 6M: 13.69%
• YTD: 22.89%
• 1Y: 39.62%
• 3Y*: 15.33%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.45%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	$434.93K	$465.46K	$441.00K
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF	$29.27M	$28.67M	$35.45M

BSMC vs. DFSV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	17.58%	15.52%	10.21%	11.69%
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF	22.89%	8.59%	7.13%	19.33%

Correlation

The correlation between BSMC and DFSV is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2023	0.90

The correlation between BSMC and DFSV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

BSMC vs. DFSV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BSMC	DFSV
Healthcare	23.3%	7.3%
Industrials	16.0%	16.1%
Technology	15.1%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	13.7%	5.6%
Financial Services	10.5%	28.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	14.9%
Energy	6.4%	11.1%
Basic Materials	3.8%	4.7%
Communication Services	3.6%	2.6%
Real Estate	-	0.9%
Utilities	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

BSMC vs. DFSV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BSMC

BSMC Risk / Return Rank: 88
BSMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BSMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
BSMC Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BSMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BSMC Martin Ratio Rank: 87

DFSV

DFSV Risk / Return Rank: 91
DFSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DFSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DFSV Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DFSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DFSV Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BSMC vs. DFSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) and Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV). 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.

	BSMC	DFSV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.38	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.45	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.67	4.24	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	14.25	-0.70

BSMC vs. DFSV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSMC Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the DFSV Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSMC and DFSV, 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

BSMC vs. DFSV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSMC drawdown since its inception was -19.15%, smaller than the maximum DFSV drawdown of -28.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSMC and DFSV.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSMC	DFSV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.15%	-28.02%	+8.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-9.39%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.02%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	0.00%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-6.48%	+3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	2.79%	-0.35%

Volatility

BSMC vs. DFSV - Volatility Comparison

Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) has a higher volatility of 4.10% compared to Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) at 3.55%. This indicates that BSMC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSMC	DFSV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	3.55%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.46%	10.57%	-0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.45%	16.74%	-2.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.96%	21.98%	-6.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.96%	21.98%	-6.02%

BSMC vs. DFSV - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSMC has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSV's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSMC vs. DFSV - Dividend Comparison

BSMC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than DFSV's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	0.89%	1.17%	1.02%	0.15%	0.00%
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF	1.33%	1.53%	1.31%	1.29%	0.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BSMC and DFSV in my portfolio?

BSMC and DFSV have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSMC or DFSV?

BSMC has higher volatility (4.10%) compared to DFSV (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSMC dropped -19.15% vs DFSV's -28.02%.

Which ETF is better, BSMC or DFSV?

On 1-year performance, DFSV leads with 39.62% vs 32.91% for BSMC. On fees, DFSV is cheaper at 0.31% per year. On volatility, DFSV has been the lower-risk option at 3.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSMC or DFSV?

Over the 1-year period, DFSV has performed better with a 39.62% return vs 32.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSMC or DFSV?

DFSV is cheaper with a 0.31% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for BSMC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BSMC or DFSV?

DFSV has the higher dividend yield at 1.33%, compared with 0.89% for BSMC.

What is the main difference between BSMC and DFSV?

They also come from different issuers: Brandes and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for BSMC and 0.31% for DFSV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.29), 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.