DFFVX vs. RTSSX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DFFVX (DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class) and RTSSX (Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund) are both mutual funds - DFFVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while RTSSX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, DFFVX returned 11.41%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for RTSSX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFFVX charges 0.29%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for RTSSX.

Performance

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFFVX) and Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund (RTSSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFFVX achieves a 19.98% return, which is significantly higher than RTSSX's 15.78% return. Over the past 10 years, DFFVX has outperformed RTSSX with an annualized return of 11.41%, while RTSSX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.19% annualized return.

DFFVX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.64%
• 6M: 11.25%
• YTD: 19.98%
• 1Y: 35.38%
• 3Y*: 14.93%
• 5Y*: 10.94%
• 10Y*: 11.41%
• ALL TIME*: 11.22%

RTSSX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -2.14%
• 6M: 8.60%
• YTD: 15.78%
• 1Y: 25.86%
• 3Y*: 10.69%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: 9.19%
• ALL TIME*: 7.19%

*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)
DFFVX DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RTSSX Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFFVX DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class	19.98%	9.53%	9.34%	19.37%	-4.66%	31.53%	3.78%	21.51%	-15.79%	9.20%
RTSSX Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund	15.78%	5.24%	7.21%	16.62%	-19.12%	19.88%	15.34%	23.91%	-8.63%	14.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DFFVX and RTSSX is 0.89, 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.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2000	0.94

The correlation between DFFVX and RTSSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFFVX vs. RTSSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFFVX

DFFVX Risk / Return Rank: 84
DFFVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
DFFVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
DFFVX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFFVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
DFFVX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

RTSSX

RTSSX Risk / Return Rank: 53
RTSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
RTSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
RTSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
RTSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
RTSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFFVX) and Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund (RTSSX). 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.

	DFFVX	RTSSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.40	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.11	+0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.25	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.41	2.46	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.57	8.48	+3.09

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFFVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is higher than the RTSSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFFVX and RTSSX, 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

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFFVX drawdown since its inception was -64.21%, which is greater than RTSSX's maximum drawdown of -57.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFFVX and RTSSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFFVX	RTSSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.21%	-57.98%	-6.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.70%	-9.80%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.09%	-27.38%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.09%	-28.43%	+2.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.75%	-40.79%	-9.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-4.34%	+3.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.65%	-12.25%	+2.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	2.84%	+0.01%

Volatility

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DFFVX) is 3.34%, while Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund (RTSSX) has a volatility of 4.05%. This indicates that DFFVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RTSSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFFVX	RTSSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	4.05%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.49%	12.77%	-2.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.35%	17.17%	-0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.26%	20.58%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.55%	21.27%	+2.28%

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFFVX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than RTSSX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFFVX vs. RTSSX - Dividend Comparison

DFFVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than RTSSX's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFFVX DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio Institutional Class	1.49%	1.69%	1.40%	2.26%	5.17%	2.74%	1.52%	3.82%	5.95%	5.16%	3.95%	5.84%
RTSSX Russell Investment Tax-Managed U.S. Mid & Small Cap Fund	0.40%	0.47%	0.72%	0.11%	0.25%	0.10%	0.36%	0.31%	0.00%	0.55%	0.00%	0.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFFVX and RTSSX in my portfolio?

DFFVX and RTSSX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFFVX or RTSSX?

RTSSX has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to DFFVX (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFFVX dropped -64.21% vs RTSSX's -57.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFFVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.40), 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.