DFWIX vs. DFSVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFWIX (DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio) and DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - DFWIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFWIX returned 11.25%/yr vs 11.50%/yr for DFSVX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFWIX charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFSVX.

Performance

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFWIX achieves a 15.43% return, which is significantly lower than DFSVX's 16.32% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFWIX having a 11.25% annualized return and DFSVX not far ahead at 11.50%.

DFWIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 15.43%
• 6M: 18.28%
• 1Y: 34.25%
• 3Y*: 20.44%
• 5Y*: 11.58%
• 10Y*: 11.25%

DFSVX

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 15.74%
• 1Y: 34.94%
• 3Y*: 18.16%
• 5Y*: 10.22%
• 10Y*: 11.50%

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

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFWIX DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio	15.43%	33.45%	4.34%	16.74%	-14.04%	22.41%	9.35%	19.98%	-17.00%	30.17%
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	16.32%	8.37%	9.58%	19.02%	-3.57%	39.97%	2.24%	18.15%	-15.13%	6.82%

Correlation

The correlation between DFWIX and DFSVX is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2014	0.69

The correlation between DFWIX and DFSVX shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFWIX vs. DFSVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFWIX

DFWIX Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DFWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DFWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
DFWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DFWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

DFSVX

DFSVX Risk / Return Rank: 61
DFSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
DFSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
DFSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
DFSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
DFSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX). 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.

	DFWIX	DFSVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.15	+0.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	3.11	+0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.38	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	3.93	-0.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.45	12.54	-0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFWIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the DFSVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFWIX and DFSVX, 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

	DFWIX	DFSVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	2.15	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.48	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.48	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.53	+0.03

Drawdowns

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFWIX drawdown since its inception was -41.80%, smaller than the maximum DFSVX drawdown of -66.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFWIX and DFSVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFWIX	DFSVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.80%	-66.70%	+24.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.82%	-9.59%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-27.69%	+14.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.31%	-27.69%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.80%	-52.12%	+10.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.15%	-9.47%	+1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	2.99%	-0.26%

Volatility

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Volatility Comparison

DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (DFWIX) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) have volatilities of 4.46% and 4.26%, 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

	DFWIX	DFSVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.46%	4.26%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.16%	11.34%	-0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.32%	17.53%	-4.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.14%	21.49%	-6.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.63%	23.90%	-8.27%

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFWIX has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSVX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFWIX vs. DFSVX - Dividend Comparison

DFWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, more than DFSVX's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	1.50%	1.69%	1.47%	3.67%	6.77%	10.40%	1.96%	2.83%	7.54%	5.18%	4.18%	5.29%
DFWIX DFA World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio	2.78%	3.00%	3.32%	3.36%	3.11%	10.71%	1.81%	2.36%	3.50%	2.36%	2.59%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFWIX and DFSVX in my portfolio?

DFWIX and DFSVX have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFWIX or DFSVX?

DFWIX has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to DFSVX (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFWIX dropped -41.80% vs DFSVX's -66.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFWIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.15), 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.