DFSTX vs. SMLF
Compare and contrast key facts about DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF).
DFSTX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Mar 19, 1992. 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
DFSTX vs. SMLF - Performance Comparison
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DFSTX vs. SMLF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | -0.13% | 8.07% | 11.50% | 17.66% | -13.50% | 30.50% | 11.19% | 21.78% | -13.20% | 11.19% |
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, DFSTX achieves a -0.13% return, which is significantly lower than SMLF's 1.08% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSTX has underperformed SMLF with an annualized return of 9.69%, while SMLF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.24% annualized return.
DFSTX
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -7.67%
- YTD
- -0.13%
- 6M
- 1.57%
- 1Y
- 17.08%
- 3Y*
- 11.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.19%
- 10Y*
- 9.69%
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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DFSTX vs. SMLF - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSTX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than SMLF's 0.30% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
DFSTX vs. SMLF — Risk / Return Rank
DFSTX
SMLF
DFSTX vs. SMLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) 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.
| DFSTX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.80 | 1.02 | -0.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.27 | 1.55 | -0.27 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.21 | -0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.03 | 1.56 | -0.53 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.16 | 6.74 | -2.59 |
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
| DFSTX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.80 | 1.02 | -0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.30 | 0.41 | -0.10 |
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 | 0.48 | 0.49 | 0.00 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSTX and SMLF is 0.91, 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
DFSTX vs. SMLF - Dividend Comparison
DFSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than SMLF's 1.17% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 1.09% | 1.08% | 1.05% | 2.45% | 5.18% | 6.39% | 1.08% | 3.30% | 5.16% | 4.56% | 3.10% | 5.90% |
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
DFSTX vs. SMLF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSTX drawdown since its inception was -60.99%, which is greater than SMLF's maximum drawdown of -41.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSTX and SMLF.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSTX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.99% | -41.89% | -19.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.92% | -14.59% | +0.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.91% | -26.28% | +0.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.78% | -41.89% | -2.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.09% | -5.66% | -3.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.80% | -6.68% | -2.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.47% | 3.38% | +0.09% |
Volatility
DFSTX vs. SMLF - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) is 5.43%, while iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) has a volatility of 7.09%. This indicates that DFSTX 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
| DFSTX | SMLF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.43% | 7.09% | -1.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.19% | 13.36% | -1.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.77% | 22.67% | -0.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.61% | 21.14% | -0.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.06% | 21.75% | +0.31% |