DFJSX vs. EWJV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio (DFJSX) and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV).

DFJSX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Jan 30, 1986. EWJV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Japan Value Index. It was launched on Mar 5, 2019.

Performance

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio (DFJSX) and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DFJSX DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio	3.43%	31.65%	4.35%	17.08%	-11.36%	-0.39%	3.78%	12.36%
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	7.42%	33.96%	11.59%	23.60%	-6.02%	5.48%	2.41%	10.48%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFJSX achieves a 3.43% return, which is significantly lower than EWJV's 7.42% return.

DFJSX

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -12.02%
• YTD: 3.43%
• 6M: 5.62%
• 1Y: 29.14%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 7.40%
• 10Y*: 8.47%

EWJV

• 1D: 3.49%
• 1M: -7.60%
• YTD: 7.42%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 35.29%
• 3Y*: 23.58%
• 5Y*: 12.70%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFJSX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJV's 0.15% expense ratio.

DFJSX

DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio

EWJV

iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF

Return for Risk

DFJSX vs. EWJV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFJSX

DFJSX Risk / Return Rank: 82
DFJSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DFJSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DFJSX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFJSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
DFJSX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

EWJV

EWJV Risk / Return Rank: 84
EWJV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
EWJV Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
EWJV Omega Ratio Rank: 84
EWJV Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EWJV Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio (DFJSX) and iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV). 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.

	DFJSX	EWJV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.64	-0.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.29	-0.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	2.30	-0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.69	8.46	-0.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFJSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the EWJV Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFJSX and EWJV, 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

	DFJSX	EWJV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	1.64	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.71	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.65	-0.36

Correlation

The correlation between DFJSX and EWJV 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

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Dividend Comparison

DFJSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.37%, less than EWJV's 4.98% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFJSX DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio	3.37%	3.49%	3.16%	6.45%	5.44%	5.26%	2.14%	3.98%	7.50%	2.41%	1.97%	1.38%
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	4.98%	5.35%	4.10%	3.32%	2.71%	2.46%	1.96%	4.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFJSX drawdown since its inception was -76.17%, which is greater than EWJV's maximum drawdown of -30.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFJSX and EWJV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFJSX	EWJV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.17%	-30.05%	-46.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.53%	-14.74%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.39%	-25.39%	-6.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.02%	-10.30%	-1.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.20%	-6.17%	-24.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.44%	4.01%	-0.57%

Volatility

DFJSX vs. EWJV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Japanese Small Company Portfolio (DFJSX) is 6.94%, while iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) has a volatility of 8.55%. This indicates that DFJSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWJV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFJSX	EWJV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.94%	8.55%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.29%	14.24%	-1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.47%	21.60%	-4.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.07%	17.90%	-1.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.53%	18.50%	-1.97%