DFSVX vs. IJR
DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) and IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) are both funds - DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. DFSVX is actively managed, while IJR is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DFSVX returned 11.45%/yr vs 10.81%/yr for IJR. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFSVX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IJR.
Performance
DFSVX vs. IJR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSVX achieves a 19.81% return, which is significantly lower than IJR's 22.52% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSVX has outperformed IJR with an annualized return of 11.45%, while IJR has yielded a comparatively lower 10.81% annualized return.
DFSVX
- 1D
- -0.89%
- 1M
- 2.78%
- 6M
- 14.28%
- YTD
- 19.81%
- 1Y
- 30.90%
- 3Y*
- 16.05%
- 5Y*
- 12.39%
- 10Y*
- 11.45%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.48%
IJR
- 1D
- 1.01%
- 1M
- 2.35%
- 6M
- 16.11%
- YTD
- 22.52%
- 1Y
- 33.04%
- 3Y*
- 14.26%
- 5Y*
- 8.10%
- 10Y*
- 10.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.19%
DFSVX vs. IJR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I | 19.81% | 8.37% | 9.58% | 19.02% | -3.57% | 39.97% | 2.24% | 18.15% | -15.13% | 6.82% |
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 22.52% | 5.89% | 8.63% | 16.06% | -16.20% | 26.58% | 11.28% | 22.82% | -8.51% | 13.15% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSVX and IJR is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000 | 0.96 |
The correlation between DFSVX and IJR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFSVX vs. IJR — Risk / Return Rank
DFSVX
IJR
DFSVX vs. IJR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) and iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR). 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.
| DFSVX | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.33 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.22 | 3.82 | -0.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.34 | 12.78 | -2.44 |
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Drawdowns
DFSVX vs. IJR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSVX drawdown since its inception was -66.70%, which is greater than IJR's maximum drawdown of -58.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSVX and IJR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSVX | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.70% | -58.15% | -8.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.59% | -8.68% | -0.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.69% | -28.02% | +0.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.69% | -28.02% | +0.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -52.12% | -44.36% | -7.76% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.67% | -1.17% | -0.50% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.44% | -9.24% | -0.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.97% | 2.59% | +0.38% |
Volatility
DFSVX vs. IJR - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) is 3.10%, while iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that DFSVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IJR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSVX | IJR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.10% | 3.48% | -0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.25% | 12.01% | -0.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.03% | 17.40% | -0.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.24% | 21.27% | -0.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.79% | 22.85% | +0.94% |
DFSVX vs. IJR - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSVX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IJR's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSVX vs. IJR - Dividend Comparison
DFSVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, more than IJR's 1.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I | 1.52% | 1.69% | 1.47% | 3.67% | 6.77% | 10.40% | 1.96% | 2.83% | 7.54% | 5.18% | 4.18% | 5.29% |
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.12% | 1.44% | 2.05% | 1.31% | 1.41% | 1.53% | 1.11% | 1.44% | 1.58% | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, DFSVX and IJR move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
IJR has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to DFSVX (3.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSVX dropped -66.70% vs IJR's -58.15%.
IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.82), 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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