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DFSCX vs. IVV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DFSCX vs. IVV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DFSCX (DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DFSCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX returned 11.53%/yr vs 15.47%/yr for IVV. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFSCX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for IVV.

Performance

DFSCX vs. IVV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSCX achieves a 19.26% return, which is significantly higher than IVV's 9.08% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX has underperformed IVV with an annualized return of 11.53%, while IVV has yielded a comparatively higher 15.47% annualized return.

DFSCX

1D
2.35%
1M
6.42%
YTD
19.26%
6M
16.19%
1Y
38.65%
3Y*
17.49%
5Y*
9.29%
10Y*
11.53%

IVV

1D
0.55%
1M
-0.85%
YTD
9.08%
6M
9.43%
1Y
25.77%
3Y*
20.95%
5Y*
13.42%
10Y*
15.47%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFSCX vs. IVV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DFSCX
DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio		19.26%9.65%11.43%17.93%-12.49%33.70%6.61%20.68%-11.60%10.92%
IVV
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF		9.08%17.85%24.93%26.31%-18.16%28.76%18.40%31.07%-4.49%21.75%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSCX and IVV is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.74

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.79

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.77

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2000

0.81

The correlation between DFSCX and IVV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

Often compared with DFSCX:
DFSCX vs. DFSVXDFSCX vs. FSSNXDFSCX vs. SPSMDFSCX vs. AVUVDFSCX vs. FISVXDFSCX vs. FDMDFSCX vs. FSCRX
Often compared with IVV:
IVV vs. VOOIVV vs. SPYIVV vs. FXAIXIVV vs. QQQIVV vs. VTIIVV vs. IOOIVV vs. CSPX.L

Return for Risk

DFSCX vs. IVV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DFSCX
DFSCX Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
DFSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7272
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DFSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
DFSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
DFSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
DFSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 8989
Martin Ratio Rank
IVV
IVV Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IVV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). 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.

DFSCXIVVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.01
2.00

+0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.92
2.70

+0.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.36

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.37

2.76

+1.61

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.12

12.43

+1.68

DFSCX vs. IVV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the IVV Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSCX and IVV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

DFSCX vs. IVV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSCX drawdown since its inception was -63.07%, which is greater than IVV's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSCX and IVV.

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Drawdown Indicators

DFSCXIVVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-63.07%

-55.25%

-7.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.17%

-8.89%

+0.72%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.01%

-18.75%

-8.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-27.01%

-24.53%

-2.48%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-46.88%

-33.90%

-12.98%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-2.35%

+2.35%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.90%

-10.77%

+0.87%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.53%

1.97%

+0.56%

Volatility

DFSCX vs. IVV - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) has a higher volatility of 5.02% compared to iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) at 4.37%. This indicates that DFSCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DFSCXIVVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.02%

4.37%

+0.65%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.99%

9.59%

+2.40%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.79%

12.28%

+5.51%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.05%

16.95%

+4.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.65%

18.08%

+4.57%

DFSCX vs. IVV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSCX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than IVV's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFSCX vs. IVV - Dividend Comparison

DFSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than IVV's 1.08% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DFSCX
DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio		0.80%1.03%0.97%2.48%5.16%10.77%0.87%2.80%5.50%5.05%0.90%6.33%
IVV
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF		1.08%1.17%1.30%1.44%1.66%1.20%1.57%1.85%2.21%1.75%2.01%2.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

DFSCX and IVV have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DFSCX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to IVV (4.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSCX dropped -63.07% vs IVV's -55.25%.

DFSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 2.00), 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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