DFISX vs. AVDVX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) and Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund (AVDVX).

DFISX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Sep 30, 1996. AVDVX is managed by Avantis Investors. It was launched on Dec 3, 2019.

Performance

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) and Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund (AVDVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	1.00%	36.35%	3.76%	14.46%	-17.13%	10.71%	9.27%	4.23%
AVDVX Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund	6.48%	48.24%	8.41%	16.75%	-10.88%	15.46%	5.65%	5.61%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFISX achieves a 1.00% return, which is significantly lower than AVDVX's 6.48% return.

DFISX

• 1D: 3.03%
• 1M: -7.73%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 5.20%
• 1Y: 30.54%
• 3Y*: 15.42%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 7.99%

AVDVX

• 1D: 3.38%
• 1M: -8.56%
• YTD: 6.48%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 47.14%
• 3Y*: 23.70%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFISX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than AVDVX's 0.36% expense ratio.

DFISX

DFA International Small Company Portfolio

AVDVX

Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund

Return for Risk

DFISX vs. AVDVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFISX

DFISX Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFISX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DFISX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFISX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DFISX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DFISX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AVDVX

AVDVX Risk / Return Rank: 96
AVDVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
AVDVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
AVDVX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
AVDVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
AVDVX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) and Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund (AVDVX). 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.

	DFISX	AVDVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.78	-0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	3.36	-0.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.54	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.53	-1.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.16	14.52	-5.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFISX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the AVDVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFISX and AVDVX, 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

	DFISX	AVDVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.78	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.81	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.72	-0.27

Correlation

The correlation between DFISX and AVDVX is 0.97, 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

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Dividend Comparison

DFISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.11%, less than AVDVX's 9.84% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio	3.11%	3.19%	3.39%	3.01%	3.51%	3.06%	1.71%	4.54%	7.74%	1.27%	4.44%	4.47%
AVDVX Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund	9.84%	10.48%	4.35%	3.52%	3.33%	4.23%	1.35%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFISX drawdown since its inception was -60.66%, which is greater than AVDVX's maximum drawdown of -43.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFISX and AVDVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFISX	AVDVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.66%	-43.06%	-17.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-12.92%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.06%	-27.37%	-7.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.09%	-9.22%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.69%	-6.82%	-4.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	3.14%	-0.09%

Volatility

DFISX vs. AVDVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) is 6.81%, while Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund (AVDVX) has a volatility of 7.64%. This indicates that DFISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVDVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFISX	AVDVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.81%	7.64%	-0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.46%	12.03%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.63%	17.18%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.80%	16.61%	-0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.13%	19.47%	-3.34%