DFAX vs. DFAS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS).

DFAX and DFAS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFAX is a passively managed fund by Dimensional that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. It was launched on Mar 6, 2008. DFAS is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Jun 14, 2021.

Performance

DFAX vs. DFAS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFAX vs. DFAS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	3.97%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	2.33%	8.17%	10.21%	17.83%	-13.84%	6.37%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAX achieves a 3.97% return, which is significantly higher than DFAS's 2.33% return.

DFAX

• 1D: 3.06%
• 1M: -8.01%
• YTD: 3.97%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 33.25%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAS

• 1D: 2.80%
• 1M: -5.04%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 20.32%
• 3Y*: 11.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAX vs. DFAS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAS's 0.34% expense ratio.

DFAS

Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF

DFAX

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF

Return for Risk

DFAX vs. DFAS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

DFAS

DFAS Risk / Return Rank: 58
DFAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
DFAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
DFAS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
DFAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
DFAS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

DFAX vs. DFAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS). 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.

	DFAX	DFAS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	0.93	+1.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	1.45	+1.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.19	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	1.45	+1.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.22	5.76	+5.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAX vs. DFAS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the DFAS Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAX and DFAS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFAX	DFAS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	0.93	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.27	+0.25

Correlation

The correlation between DFAX and DFAS is 0.73, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

DFAX vs. DFAS - Dividend Comparison

DFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.46%, more than DFAS's 1.02% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.46%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	1.02%	0.99%	0.93%	1.00%	1.03%	2.87%

Drawdowns

DFAX vs. DFAS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAX drawdown since its inception was -28.15%, which is greater than DFAS's maximum drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAX and DFAS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAX	DFAS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.15%	-26.13%	-2.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.31%	-14.08%	+2.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.28%	-6.67%	-1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-8.55%	+1.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.87%	3.54%	-0.67%

Volatility

DFAX vs. DFAS - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a higher volatility of 8.05% compared to Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS) at 6.21%. This indicates that DFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAX	DFAS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.05%	6.21%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.27%	12.67%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.86%	21.96%	-5.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.86%	21.03%	-5.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.86%	21.03%	-5.17%