DFIS vs. DFAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

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

DFIS and DFAX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFIS is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Mar 23, 2022. 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.

Performance

DFIS vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison

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

DFIS vs. DFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFIS Dimensional International Small Cap ETF	2.31%	37.49%	3.80%	15.19%	-12.94%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	3.97%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-10.92%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFIS achieves a 2.31% return, which is significantly lower than DFAX's 3.97% return.

DFIS

• 1D: 3.12%
• 1M: -8.99%
• YTD: 2.31%
• 6M: 7.05%
• 1Y: 33.50%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAX

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

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

DFIS vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFIS has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

DFIS

Dimensional International Small Cap ETF

DFAX

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF

Return for Risk

DFIS vs. DFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFIS

DFIS Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DFIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFIS Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DFIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFIS Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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

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.

DFIS vs. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	DFIS	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.98	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.62	+0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.41	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	2.84	-0.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.38	11.22	-0.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFIS vs. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFIS and DFAX, 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

	DFIS	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	1.98	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.52	+0.06

Correlation

The correlation between DFIS and DFAX is 0.94, 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

DFIS vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

DFIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than DFAX's 2.46% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFIS Dimensional International Small Cap ETF	2.18%	2.23%	2.19%	2.36%	1.13%	0.00%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.46%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%

Drawdowns

DFIS vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFIS drawdown since its inception was -27.23%, roughly equal to the maximum DFAX drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIS and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFIS	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.23%	-28.15%	+0.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.44%	-11.31%	-1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.99%	-8.28%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.30%	-6.86%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.87%	+0.19%

Volatility

DFIS vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional International Small Cap ETF (DFIS) is 7.55%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 8.05%. This indicates that DFIS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFIS	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.55%	8.05%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	11.27%	-0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.10%	16.86%	+0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	15.86%	+1.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.31%	15.86%	+1.45%