DFWVX vs. DISV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFWVX (DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund) and DISV (Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF) are both funds - DFWVX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DISV is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 3 years, DFWVX returned 24.15%/yr vs 24.35%/yr for DISV. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFWVX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for DISV.

Performance

DFWVX vs. DISV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund (DFWVX) and Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (DISV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFWVX achieves a 16.43% return, which is significantly higher than DISV's 10.83% return.

DFWVX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 4.32%
• YTD: 16.43%
• 6M: 20.24%
• 1Y: 39.94%
• 3Y*: 24.15%
• 5Y*: 16.21%
• 10Y*: 29.41%

DISV

• 1D: -1.06%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 10.83%
• 6M: 15.28%
• 1Y: 34.34%
• 3Y*: 24.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFWVX vs. DISV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFWVX DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund	16.43%	40.30%	6.66%	17.37%	-7.82%
DISV Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF	10.83%	47.42%	5.87%	19.52%	-9.72%

Correlation

The correlation between DFWVX and DISV is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2022	0.92

The correlation between DFWVX and DISV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFWVX vs. DISV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFWVX

DFWVX Risk / Return Rank: 88
DFWVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFWVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFWVX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
DFWVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFWVX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DISV

DISV Risk / Return Rank: 65
DISV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DISV Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DISV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DISV Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
DISV Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

DFWVX vs. DISV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund (DFWVX) and Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (DISV). 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.

	DFWVX	DISV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.28	2.39	+0.89
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.38	3.28	+1.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.43	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.12	2.72	+1.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.68	10.27	+5.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFWVX vs. DISV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFWVX Sharpe Ratio is 3.28, which is higher than the DISV Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFWVX and DISV, 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

	DFWVX	DISV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.28	2.39	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.02	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.93	-0.21

Drawdowns

DFWVX vs. DISV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFWVX drawdown since its inception was -41.32%, which is greater than DISV's maximum drawdown of -26.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFWVX and DISV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFWVX	DISV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.32%	-26.77%	-14.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.91%	-12.69%	+2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.11%	-14.15%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.59%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.48%	+2.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.08%	-4.90%	-2.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	3.35%	-0.75%

Volatility

DFWVX vs. DISV - Volatility Comparison

DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund (DFWVX) and Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (DISV) have volatilities of 4.19% and 4.16%, 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

	DFWVX	DISV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	4.16%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.51%	11.69%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	14.45%	-1.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.06%	17.36%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.91%	17.36%	+17.55%

DFWVX vs. DISV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFWVX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than DISV's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFWVX vs. DISV - Dividend Comparison

DFWVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than DISV's 2.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFWVX DFA World ex U.S. Value Portfolio Fund	3.40%	3.66%	4.28%	4.30%	3.75%	15.97%	2.43%	110.54%	5.26%	2.70%	2.92%	2.77%
DISV Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF	2.39%	2.69%	2.77%	2.73%	1.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFWVX and DISV in my portfolio?

DFWVX and DISV have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFWVX or DISV?

DFWVX has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to DISV (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFWVX dropped -41.32% vs DISV's -26.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFWVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 2.39), 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.