DFSVX vs. IWM
DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both funds - DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. DFSVX is actively managed, while IWM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DFSVX returned 11.75%/yr vs 11.27%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFSVX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.
Performance
DFSVX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSVX achieves a 17.78% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 19.22% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFSVX having a 11.75% annualized return and IWM not far behind at 11.27%.
DFSVX
- 1D
- 1.63%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- YTD
- 17.78%
- 6M
- 15.07%
- 1Y
- 36.45%
- 3Y*
- 17.62%
- 5Y*
- 10.49%
- 10Y*
- 11.75%
IWM
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- 2.99%
- YTD
- 19.22%
- 6M
- 16.00%
- 1Y
- 41.75%
- 3Y*
- 17.23%
- 5Y*
- 6.07%
- 10Y*
- 11.27%
DFSVX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I | 17.78% | 8.37% | 9.58% | 19.02% | -3.57% | 39.97% | 2.24% | 18.15% | -15.13% | 6.82% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 19.22% | 12.66% | 11.38% | 16.83% | -20.48% | 14.54% | 20.03% | 25.39% | -11.12% | 14.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSVX and IWM is 0.86, 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 | 0.86 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000 | 0.94 |
The correlation between DFSVX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
DFSVX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank
DFSVX
IWM
DFSVX vs. IWM - 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 Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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 | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.11 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.33 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.58 | 3.57 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.45 | 12.63 | -1.18 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
DFSVX vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSVX drawdown since its inception was -66.70%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSVX and IWM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| DFSVX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.70% | -59.05% | -7.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.59% | -11.03% | +1.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.69% | -27.50% | -0.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.69% | -31.91% | +4.22% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -52.12% | -41.13% | -10.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.46% | -10.76% | +1.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.99% | 3.12% | -0.13% |
Volatility
DFSVX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) is 4.27%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 7.16%. This indicates that DFSVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| DFSVX | IWM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.27% | 7.16% | -2.89% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.51% | 14.29% | -2.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.53% | 19.73% | -2.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.50% | 22.61% | -1.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.89% | 23.08% | +0.81% |
DFSVX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSVX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSVX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison
DFSVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I | 1.48% | 1.69% | 1.47% | 3.67% | 6.77% | 10.40% | 1.96% | 2.83% | 7.54% | 5.18% | 4.18% | 5.29% |
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0.87% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.35% | 1.48% | 0.94% | 1.04% | 1.26% | 1.40% | 1.26% | 1.38% | 1.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSVX and IWM have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IWM has higher volatility (7.16%) compared to DFSVX (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSVX dropped -66.70% vs IWM's -59.05%.
IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.96), 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.
Find the right allocation for DFSVX and IWM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer