DFSV vs. DFAU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU).

DFSV and DFAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFSV is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Feb 23, 2022. DFAU is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Nov 17, 2020.

Performance

DFSV vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFSV vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF	6.90%	8.59%	7.13%	19.26%	0.60%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	-3.36%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-8.47%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSV achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly higher than DFAU's -3.36% return.

DFSV

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: -3.01%
• YTD: 6.90%
• 6M: 10.89%
• 1Y: 26.57%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: 2.90%
• 1M: -4.90%
• YTD: -3.36%
• 6M: -0.90%
• 1Y: 18.61%
• 3Y*: 17.54%
• 5Y*: 11.00%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFSV vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSV has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% expense ratio.

DFSV

Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF

DFAU

Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF

Return for Risk

DFSV vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFSV

DFSV Risk / Return Rank: 68
DFSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DFSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DFSV Omega Ratio Rank: 66
DFSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DFSV Martin Ratio Rank: 68

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 66
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DFSV vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). 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.

	DFSV	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.01	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.67	1.53	+0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.23	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	1.54	+0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.49	7.40	-0.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFSV vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSV Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSV and DFAU, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFSV	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12	1.01	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.79	-0.33

Correlation

The correlation between DFSV and DFAU is 0.81, 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

DFSV vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

DFSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, more than DFAU's 1.03% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF	1.53%	1.53%	1.31%	1.29%	0.90%	0.00%	0.00%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	1.03%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%

Drawdowns

DFSV vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSV drawdown since its inception was -28.02%, which is greater than DFAU's maximum drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSV and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSV	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.02%	-23.61%	-4.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.38%	-12.45%	-2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.67%	-6.03%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.93%	-5.12%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	2.60%	+1.51%

Volatility

DFSV vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) have volatilities of 5.36% and 5.37%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSV	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.36%	5.37%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	9.65%	+3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.83%	18.51%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.56%	17.04%	+5.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.56%	16.88%	+5.68%