DFSTX vs. VSMAX
Compare and contrast key facts about DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX).
DFSTX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Mar 19, 1992. VSMAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
DFSTX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison
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DFSTX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 2.63% | 8.07% | 11.50% | 17.66% | -13.50% | 30.50% | 11.19% | 21.78% | -13.20% | 11.19% |
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.90% | 8.83% | 14.23% | 18.17% | -17.61% | 17.74% | 19.06% | 27.36% | -9.33% | 16.24% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSTX achieves a 2.63% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's 1.90% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSTX has underperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 9.99%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.49% annualized return.
DFSTX
- 1D
- 2.76%
- 1M
- -5.59%
- YTD
- 2.63%
- 6M
- 4.14%
- 1Y
- 19.83%
- 3Y*
- 12.15%
- 5Y*
- 6.44%
- 10Y*
- 9.99%
VSMAX
- 1D
- 3.15%
- 1M
- -5.71%
- YTD
- 1.90%
- 6M
- 3.41%
- 1Y
- 19.29%
- 3Y*
- 13.01%
- 5Y*
- 5.34%
- 10Y*
- 10.49%
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DFSTX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSTX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
DFSTX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank
DFSTX
VSMAX
DFSTX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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 | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.94 | 0.91 | +0.03 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.45 | 1.40 | +0.05 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.19 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.30 | 1.38 | -0.08 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.20 | 5.95 | -0.75 |
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 | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.94 | 0.91 | +0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 | 0.26 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 | 0.49 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.37 | +0.11 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSTX and VSMAX is 0.98, 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. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison
DFSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than VSMAX's 1.33% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 1.06% | 1.08% | 1.05% | 2.45% | 5.18% | 6.39% | 1.08% | 3.30% | 5.16% | 4.56% | 3.10% | 5.90% |
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.33% | 1.33% | 1.30% | 1.56% | 1.54% | 1.24% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.67% | 1.35% | 1.49% | 1.48% |
Drawdowns
DFSTX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSTX drawdown since its inception was -60.99%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSTX and VSMAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSTX | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.99% | -59.68% | -1.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.92% | -14.30% | +0.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.91% | -28.14% | +2.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.78% | -41.82% | -2.96% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.58% | -6.11% | -0.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.80% | -9.75% | +0.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.48% | 3.32% | +0.16% |
Volatility
DFSTX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) is 6.21%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) has a volatility of 6.82%. This indicates that DFSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSTX | VSMAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.21% | 6.82% | -0.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.48% | 12.61% | -0.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.89% | 21.80% | +0.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.65% | 20.74% | -0.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.07% | 21.54% | +0.53% |