DFSCX vs. DFIV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV).

DFSCX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Dec 23, 1981. DFIV is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 16, 1999.

Performance

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	1.62%	9.65%	11.43%	17.93%	-12.49%	7.77%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	5.98%	45.36%	7.26%	17.75%	-3.70%	0.08%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSCX achieves a 1.62% return, which is significantly lower than DFIV's 5.98% return.

DFSCX

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: -5.81%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 3.98%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 12.53%
• 5Y*: 7.14%
• 10Y*: 9.92%

DFIV

• 1D: 2.74%
• 1M: -5.65%
• YTD: 5.98%
• 6M: 15.53%
• 1Y: 38.38%
• 3Y*: 22.24%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSCX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIV's 0.27% expense ratio.

DFSCX

DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio

DFIV

Dimensional International Value ETF

Return for Risk

DFSCX vs. DFIV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSCX

DFSCX Risk / Return Rank: 58
DFSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DFSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
DFSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DFSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
DFSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

DFIV

DFIV Risk / Return Rank: 94
DFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 95
DFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV). 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.

	DFSCX	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.25	-1.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	2.94	-1.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.46	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	3.08	-1.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.67	13.72	-8.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the DFIV Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSCX and DFIV, 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

	DFSCX	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	2.25	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.89	-0.30

Correlation

The correlation between DFSCX and DFIV is 0.70, 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

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Dividend Comparison

DFSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than DFIV's 2.69% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio	0.94%	1.03%	0.97%	2.48%	5.16%	10.77%	0.87%	2.80%	5.50%	5.05%	0.90%	6.33%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	2.69%	2.92%	3.88%	3.93%	3.84%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSCX drawdown since its inception was -63.07%, which is greater than DFIV's maximum drawdown of -25.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSCX and DFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSCX	DFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.07%	-25.42%	-37.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.51%	-12.12%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.45%	-5.95%	-1.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.95%	-4.58%	-5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	2.72%	+0.74%

Volatility

DFSCX vs. DFIV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) is 5.39%, while Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) has a volatility of 6.81%. This indicates that DFSCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSCX	DFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.39%	6.81%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.53%	10.46%	+2.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.14%	17.16%	+4.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.09%	16.71%	+4.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.63%	16.71%	+5.92%