DFSV vs. GSG
DFSV (Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - DFSV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. DFSV is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSV returned 15.48%/yr vs 12.51%/yr for GSG. Their 0.19 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DFSV charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
DFSV vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSV achieves a 23.38% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.52% return.
DFSV
- 1D
- -0.84%
- 1M
- 4.00%
- 6M
- 11.02%
- YTD
- 23.38%
- 1Y
- 37.08%
- 3Y*
- 15.48%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 13.53%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- 6M
- 21.95%
- YTD
- 32.52%
- 1Y
- 37.47%
- 3Y*
- 12.51%
- 5Y*
- 14.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.36%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28.52M | $28.34M | $35.15M | |
| $18.96M | $16.42M | $22.87M |
DFSV vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | 23.38% | 8.59% | 7.13% | 19.26% | 2.68% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 32.52% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 4.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSV and GSG is -0.13, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2022 | 0.19 |
The correlation between DFSV and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFSV vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
DFSV
GSG
DFSV vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.
| DFSV | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.27 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.97 | 2.00 | +1.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.33 | 6.32 | +7.01 |
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Drawdowns
DFSV vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSV drawdown since its inception was -28.02%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSV and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSV | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.02% | -89.62% | +61.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.39% | -18.81% | +9.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.02% | -18.81% | -9.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.12% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.84% | -59.99% | +59.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.47% | -63.67% | +57.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.79% | 5.94% | -3.15% |
Volatility
DFSV vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) is 3.80%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.99%. This indicates that DFSV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSV | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.80% | 8.99% | -5.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.59% | 21.89% | -11.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.71% | 24.44% | -7.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.97% | 22.90% | -0.93% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.97% | 22.08% | -0.11% |
DFSV vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSV has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSV vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
DFSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | 1.33% | 1.53% | 1.31% | 1.29% | 0.90% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSV and GSG have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.99%) compared to DFSV (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSV dropped -28.02% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 3-year performance, DFSV leads with 15.48% vs 12.51% for GSG. On fees, DFSV is cheaper at 0.31% per year. On volatility, DFSV has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFSV has performed better with a 15.48% return vs 12.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFSV is cheaper with a 0.31% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
DFSV has the higher dividend yield at 1.33%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
DFSV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for DFSV and 0.75% for GSG.
DFSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.54), 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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