DFSVX vs. SPSM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) and SPSM (SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF) are both funds - DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while SPSM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Over the past 10 years, DFSVX returned 11.15%/yr vs 10.77%/yr for SPSM. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFSVX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPSM.

Performance

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) and SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DFSVX having a 14.98% return and SPSM slightly higher at 15.49%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFSVX having a 11.15% annualized return and SPSM not far behind at 10.77%.

DFSVX

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 14.98%
• 6M: 15.29%
• 1Y: 32.71%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 11.15%

SPSM

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 15.49%
• 6M: 15.16%
• 1Y: 30.67%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 5.46%
• 10Y*: 10.77%

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

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	14.98%	8.37%	9.58%	19.02%	-3.57%	39.97%	2.24%	18.15%	-15.13%	6.82%
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	15.49%	6.11%	8.55%	16.11%	-16.12%	26.67%	11.69%	25.85%	-11.17%	15.44%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSVX and SPSM is 0.95, 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	0.95
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 Jul 10, 2013	0.94

The correlation between DFSVX and SPSM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFSVX vs. SPSM — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSVX

DFSVX Risk / Return Rank: 58
DFSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
DFSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
DFSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
DFSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DFSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

SPSM

SPSM Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPSM Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SPSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
SPSM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

DFSVX vs. SPSM - 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 SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM). 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.

	DFSVX	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.76	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.55	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.30	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	3.53	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.63	11.81	-0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the SPSM Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSVX and SPSM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFSVX	SPSM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	1.76	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.26	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.47	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.45	+0.07

Drawdowns

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSVX drawdown since its inception was -66.70%, which is greater than SPSM's maximum drawdown of -42.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSVX and SPSM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSVX	SPSM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.70%	-42.89%	-23.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-8.72%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.69%	-27.94%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.69%	-27.94%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.12%	-42.89%	-9.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.27%	-1.12%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.47%	-7.92%	-1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	2.60%	+0.39%

Volatility

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) is 4.28%, while SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF (SPSM) has a volatility of 4.70%. This indicates that DFSVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPSM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSVX	SPSM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.28%	4.70%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.39%	11.80%	-0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.53%	17.56%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.49%	21.44%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.89%	23.00%	+0.89%

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSVX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SPSM's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFSVX vs. SPSM - Dividend Comparison

DFSVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, more than SPSM's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	1.51%	1.69%	1.47%	3.67%	6.77%	10.40%	1.96%	2.83%	7.54%	5.18%	4.18%	5.29%
SPSM SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF	1.42%	1.62%	1.85%	1.61%	1.38%	1.40%	1.34%	1.58%	1.82%	1.51%	1.49%	2.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSVX and SPSM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, DFSVX and SPSM 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.

Which is riskier, DFSVX or SPSM?

SPSM has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to DFSVX (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSVX dropped -66.70% vs SPSM's -42.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFSVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.76), 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.