DFSTX vs. VTEB
DFSTX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio) and VTEB (Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) are both funds - DFSTX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while VTEB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, DFSTX returned 11.16%/yr vs 2.03%/yr for VTEB. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. DFSTX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTEB.
Performance
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSTX achieves a 15.82% return, which is significantly higher than VTEB's 1.44% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSTX has outperformed VTEB with an annualized return of 11.16%, while VTEB has yielded a comparatively lower 2.03% annualized return.
DFSTX
- 1D
- 2.42%
- 1M
- 5.56%
- YTD
- 15.82%
- 6M
- 13.14%
- 1Y
- 31.26%
- 3Y*
- 15.72%
- 5Y*
- 8.14%
- 10Y*
- 11.16%
VTEB
- 1D
- -0.08%
- 1M
- 0.78%
- YTD
- 1.44%
- 6M
- 1.95%
- 1Y
- 6.57%
- 3Y*
- 3.44%
- 5Y*
- 0.80%
- 10Y*
- 2.03%
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 15.82% | 8.07% | 11.50% | 17.66% | -13.50% | 30.50% | 11.19% | 21.78% | -13.20% | 11.19% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 1.44% | 3.72% | 1.31% | 6.15% | -7.99% | 1.14% | 5.19% | 7.35% | 1.04% | 4.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSTX and VTEB is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 25, 2015 | -0.01 |
The correlation between DFSTX and VTEB shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFSTX vs. VTEB — Risk / Return Rank
DFSTX
VTEB
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB). 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.
| DFSTX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.68 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.51 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.15 | 2.35 | +0.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.70 | 8.30 | +2.40 |
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Drawdowns
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSTX drawdown since its inception was -60.99%, which is greater than VTEB's maximum drawdown of -17.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSTX and VTEB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSTX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.99% | -17.00% | -43.99% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.16% | -2.71% | -6.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.91% | -5.53% | -20.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.91% | -12.64% | -13.27% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.78% | -17.00% | -27.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.54% | +0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.76% | -2.32% | -6.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.70% | 0.77% | +1.93% |
Volatility
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Volatility Comparison
DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) has a higher volatility of 5.10% compared to Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) at 0.93%. This indicates that DFSTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSTX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.10% | 0.93% | +4.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.02% | 2.04% | +9.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.03% | 2.70% | +14.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.61% | 3.90% | +16.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.09% | 5.26% | +16.83% |
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSTX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEB's 0.03% 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%.
Dividends
DFSTX vs. VTEB - Dividend Comparison
DFSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than VTEB's 3.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 0.94% | 1.08% | 1.05% | 2.45% | 5.18% | 6.39% | 1.08% | 3.30% | 5.16% | 4.56% | 3.10% | 5.90% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 3.36% | 3.29% | 3.14% | 2.79% | 2.09% | 1.64% | 1.99% | 2.30% | 2.25% | 1.96% | 1.66% | 0.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSTX and VTEB have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFSTX has higher volatility (5.10%) compared to VTEB (0.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSTX dropped -60.99% vs VTEB's -17.00%.
VTEB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.70), 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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