DHF vs. DISVX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DHF (Dimensional High Yield Fund) and DISVX (DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class) are both mutual funds - DHF is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while DISVX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DHF returned 5.21%/yr vs 10.79%/yr for DISVX. Their 0.28 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DHF charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for DISVX.

Performance

DHF vs. DISVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional High Yield Fund (DHF) and DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DISVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DHF achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than DISVX's 10.94% return. Over the past 10 years, DHF has underperformed DISVX with an annualized return of 5.21%, while DISVX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.79% annualized return.

DHF

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: -0.52%
• 6M: -2.50%
• YTD: 0.64%
• 1Y: 1.19%
• 3Y*: 11.27%
• 5Y*: 0.96%
• 10Y*: 5.21%
• ALL TIME*: 2.97%

DISVX

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 2.17%
• 6M: 3.74%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 1Y: 31.03%
• 3Y*: 23.94%
• 5Y*: 14.38%
• 10Y*: 10.79%
• ALL TIME*: 8.34%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DHF Dimensional High Yield Fund	$873.57K	$687.27K	$596.71K
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DHF vs. DISVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DHF Dimensional High Yield Fund	0.64%	5.67%	21.12%	15.00%	-22.70%	10.35%	6.46%	24.68%	-11.11%	8.43%
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class	10.94%	52.17%	7.88%	17.58%	-9.80%	15.84%	0.82%	21.04%	-23.36%	25.41%

Correlation

The correlation between DHF and DISVX is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 1998	0.28

The correlation between DHF and DISVX shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (3 years) to 0.39 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DHF vs. DISVX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DHF

DHF Risk / Return Rank: 5
DHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
DHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
DHF Omega Ratio Rank: 5
DHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
DHF Martin Ratio Rank: 5

DISVX

DISVX Risk / Return Rank: 75
DISVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DISVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DISVX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
DISVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
DISVX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DHF vs. DISVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional High Yield Fund (DHF) and DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DISVX). 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.

	DHF	DISVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.10	2.12	-2.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.24	2.99	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.38	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	2.43	-2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.35	7.69	-7.34

DHF vs. DISVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DHF Sharpe Ratio is 0.10, which is lower than the DISVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DHF and DISVX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DHF vs. DISVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DHF drawdown since its inception was -71.32%, which is greater than DISVX's maximum drawdown of -61.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DHF and DISVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DHF	DISVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.32%	-61.57%	-9.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.66%	-13.26%	+4.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.81%	-13.69%	+1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.99%	-27.43%	-7.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.94%	-49.24%	+6.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.55%	-3.06%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.91%	-12.16%	-10.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	4.16%	-0.78%

Volatility

DHF vs. DISVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional High Yield Fund (DHF) is 3.40%, while DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class (DISVX) has a volatility of 4.95%. This indicates that DHF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DISVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DHF	DISVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	4.95%	-1.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.53%	12.89%	-3.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	15.16%	-3.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.99%	16.13%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.73%	16.48%	+1.25%

DHF vs. DISVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DHF has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DISVX's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

DHF vs. DISVX - Dividend Comparison

DHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.79%, more than DISVX's 6.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DHF Dimensional High Yield Fund	8.79%	8.47%	8.14%	7.86%	10.12%	8.24%	8.60%	8.52%	10.41%	8.98%	9.76%	11.30%
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio Institutional Class	6.49%	7.17%	4.56%	3.87%	2.40%	3.51%	1.84%	3.97%	5.91%	3.77%	5.85%	3.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DHF and DISVX in my portfolio?

DHF and DISVX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DHF or DISVX?

DISVX has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to DHF (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DHF dropped -71.32% vs DISVX's -61.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DISVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.10), 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.