DFSCX vs. SMLF
Compare and contrast key facts about DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF).
DFSCX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Dec 23, 1981. SMLF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multi-Factor. It was launched on Apr 28, 2015.
Performance
DFSCX vs. SMLF - Performance Comparison
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DFSCX vs. SMLF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSCX DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio | 1.62% | 9.65% | 11.43% | 17.93% | -12.49% | 33.70% | 6.61% | 20.68% | -11.60% | 10.92% |
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF | 1.08% | 12.30% | 16.33% | 19.99% | -12.19% | 26.53% | 8.38% | 21.56% | -8.42% | 12.70% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSCX achieves a 1.62% return, which is significantly higher than SMLF's 1.08% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSCX has underperformed SMLF with an annualized return of 9.92%, while SMLF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized 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%
SMLF
- 1D
- 3.34%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 6M
- 2.12%
- 1Y
- 22.93%
- 3Y*
- 15.22%
- 5Y*
- 8.55%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
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DFSCX vs. SMLF - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSCX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLF's 0.30% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
DFSCX vs. SMLF — Risk / Return Rank
DFSCX
SMLF
DFSCX vs. SMLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). 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 | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.02 | 1.02 | +0.01 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.57 | 1.55 | +0.03 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.21 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.40 | 1.56 | -0.16 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.67 | 6.74 | -1.07 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFSCX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.02 | 1.02 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.34 | 0.41 | -0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 | 0.52 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.59 | 0.49 | +0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSCX and SMLF is 0.90, 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. SMLF - Dividend Comparison
DFSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than SMLF's 1.17% 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% |
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF | 1.17% | 1.14% | 1.33% | 1.13% | 1.23% | 1.07% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.17% | 0.93% | 0.78% | 0.79% |
Drawdowns
DFSCX vs. SMLF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSCX drawdown since its inception was -63.07%, which is greater than SMLF's maximum drawdown of -41.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSCX and SMLF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSCX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.07% | -41.89% | -21.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.51% | -14.59% | +1.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.01% | -26.28% | -0.73% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.88% | -41.89% | -4.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.45% | -5.66% | -1.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.95% | -6.68% | -3.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.46% | 3.38% | +0.08% |
Volatility
DFSCX vs. SMLF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (DFSCX) is 5.39%, while iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) has a volatility of 7.09%. This indicates that DFSCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSCX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.39% | 7.09% | -1.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.53% | 13.36% | -0.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.14% | 22.67% | -0.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.09% | 21.14% | -0.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.63% | 21.75% | +0.88% |