DFP vs. DFSTX
DFP (Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund) and DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFP is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFP returned 5.90%/yr vs 10.82%/yr for DFSTX. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DFP charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFSTX.
Performance
DFP vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFP achieves a 4.35% return, which is significantly lower than DFSTX's 17.76% return. Over the past 10 years, DFP has underperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 5.90%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.82% annualized return.
DFP
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 1.02%
- 6M
- 0.77%
- YTD
- 4.35%
- 1Y
- 8.13%
- 3Y*
- 12.23%
- 5Y*
- 0.32%
- 10Y*
- 5.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.42%
DFSTX
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- -0.47%
- 6M
- 11.70%
- YTD
- 17.76%
- 1Y
- 29.40%
- 3Y*
- 13.92%
- 5Y*
- 9.16%
- 10Y*
- 10.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.49%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $935.27K | $981.38K | $1.13M | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
DFP vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFP Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund | 4.35% | 11.88% | 20.47% | 2.12% | -26.32% | 2.18% | 16.83% | 40.77% | -17.56% | 20.78% |
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 17.76% | 8.07% | 11.50% | 17.66% | -13.50% | 30.50% | 11.19% | 21.78% | -13.20% | 11.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFP and DFSTX is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.48 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.50 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2013 | 0.34 |
The correlation between DFP and DFSTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (all time) to 0.50 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFP vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank
DFP
DFSTX
DFP vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund (DFP) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). 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.
| DFP | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.27 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.79 | 2.85 | -2.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.45 | 9.79 | -7.33 |
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Drawdowns
DFP vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFP drawdown since its inception was -47.32%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFP and DFSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFP | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.32% | -60.99% | +13.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.97% | -9.16% | -0.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.27% | -25.91% | +11.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.82% | -25.91% | -12.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.32% | -44.78% | -2.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.98% | -1.67% | -0.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.67% | -8.73% | -0.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.19% | 2.68% | +0.51% |
Volatility
DFP vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund (DFP) is 2.63%, while DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a volatility of 3.49%. This indicates that DFP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFP | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.63% | 3.49% | -0.86% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.28% | 11.59% | -4.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.48% | 16.68% | -8.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.57% | 20.43% | -5.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.97% | 22.01% | -3.04% |
DFP vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFP has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSTX's 0.27% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
DFP vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison
DFP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.40%, more than DFSTX's 0.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFP Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund | 7.40% | 6.99% | 6.81% | 7.39% | 10.54% | 7.03% | 6.36% | 6.41% | 8.75% | 7.11% | 8.16% | 8.38% |
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 0.97% | 1.08% | 1.05% | 2.45% | 5.18% | 6.39% | 1.08% | 3.30% | 5.16% | 4.56% | 3.10% | 5.90% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFP and DFSTX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFSTX has higher volatility (3.49%) compared to DFP (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFP dropped -47.32% vs DFSTX's -60.99%.
DFSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.93), 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.
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