DFDSX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

DFDSX is managed by DF Dent Funds. It was launched on Nov 1, 2013.

Performance

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFDSX DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund	-8.32%	-3.25%	10.91%	22.27%	-30.31%	14.54%	34.68%	36.34%	-1.61%	15.58%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFDSX achieves a -8.32% return, which is significantly lower than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, DFDSX has underperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 8.89%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.

DFDSX

• 1D: 3.46%
• 1M: -7.31%
• YTD: -8.32%
• 6M: -8.05%
• 1Y: -4.80%
• 3Y*: 3.45%
• 5Y*: -1.28%
• 10Y*: 8.89%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFDSX

DFDSX Risk / Return Rank: 2
DFDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
DFDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
DFDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
DFDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
DFDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	DFDSX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	0.92	-1.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.12	1.41	-1.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.21	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.25	1.41	-1.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.72	6.61	-7.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFDSX Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is lower than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFDSX and ^GSPC, 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

	DFDSX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19	0.92	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	0.61	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.68	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.46	-0.09

Correlation

The correlation between DFDSX and ^GSPC is 0.80, 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.

Drawdowns

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFDSX drawdown since its inception was -37.88%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFDSX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFDSX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.88%	-56.78%	+18.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.07%	-12.14%	-4.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.88%	-25.43%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.88%	-33.92%	-3.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.27%	-5.78%	-14.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.93%	-10.75%	+0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.92%	2.60%	+3.32%

Volatility

DFDSX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

DF Dent Small Cap Growth Fund (DFDSX) has a higher volatility of 6.28% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 5.37%. This indicates that DFDSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFDSX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.28%	5.37%	+0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.88%	9.55%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.04%	18.33%	+3.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.17%	16.90%	+5.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.70%	18.05%	+3.65%