DISV vs. VB

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DISV (Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF) and VB (Vanguard Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DISV is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while VB is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Index. DISV is actively managed, while VB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DISV returned 22.91%/yr vs 14.02%/yr for VB. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DISV charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VB.

Performance

DISV vs. VB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (DISV) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DISV achieves a 13.10% return, which is significantly lower than VB's 15.19% return.

DISV

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 3.88%
• 6M: 6.01%
• YTD: 13.10%
• 1Y: 32.14%
• 3Y*: 22.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.06%

VB

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -1.73%
• 6M: 10.09%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 1Y: 25.91%
• 3Y*: 14.02%
• 5Y*: 7.45%
• 10Y*: 11.08%
• ALL TIME*: 9.88%

*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)
DISV Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF	$15.18M	$14.28M	$13.10M
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	$121.48M	$119.40M	$165.11M

DISV vs. VB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DISV Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF	13.10%	47.42%	5.87%	19.52%	-9.36%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	15.19%	8.87%	14.17%	18.22%	-11.68%

Correlation

The correlation between DISV and VB is 0.64, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2022	0.71

The correlation between DISV and VB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

DISV vs. VB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DISV	VB
Financial Services	22.2%	12.4%
Basic Materials	21.8%	4.4%
Consumer Cyclical	16.2%	11.6%
Industrials	15.2%	19.9%
Healthcare	5.5%	12.5%
Technology	4.4%	17.9%
Energy	4.2%	3.9%
Communication Services	4.1%	2.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	3.3%
Real Estate	2.5%	7.9%
Utilities	0.8%	3.3%

Return for Risk

DISV vs. VB — Risk / Return Rank

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

DISV

DISV Risk / Return Rank: 82
DISV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
DISV Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
DISV Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DISV Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
DISV Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VB

VB Risk / Return Rank: 69
VB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VB Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VB Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VB Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VB Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

DISV vs. VB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (DISV) and Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB). 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.

	DISV	VB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.46	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	2.13	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.26	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	2.67	-0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	9.73	-0.76

DISV vs. VB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DISV Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the VB Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DISV and VB, 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

DISV vs. VB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DISV drawdown since its inception was -26.77%, smaller than the maximum VB drawdown of -59.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DISV and VB.

Drawdown Indicators

	DISV	VB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.77%	-59.56%	+32.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.69%	-8.98%	-3.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.15%	-25.36%	+11.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.15%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-2.63%	+2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-8.39%	+3.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.60%	2.46%	+1.14%

Volatility

DISV vs. VB - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (DISV) has a higher volatility of 4.03% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB) at 3.36%. This indicates that DISV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DISV	VB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	3.36%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.65%	12.01%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.92%	16.47%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.28%	20.69%	-3.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	21.37%	-4.09%

DISV vs. VB - Expense Ratio Comparison

DISV has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than VB's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DISV vs. VB - Dividend Comparison

DISV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, more than VB's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DISV Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF	2.44%	2.69%	2.77%	2.73%	1.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VB Vanguard Small-Cap ETF	1.22%	1.33%	1.30%	1.55%	1.59%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DISV and VB in my portfolio?

DISV and VB have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DISV or VB?

DISV has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to VB (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DISV dropped -26.77% vs VB's -59.56%.

Which ETF is better, DISV or VB?

On 3-year performance, DISV leads with 22.91% vs 14.02% for VB. On fees, VB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VB has been the lower-risk option at 3.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DISV or VB?

Over the 3-year period, DISV has performed better with a 22.91% return vs 14.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DISV or VB?

VB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for DISV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DISV or VB?

DISV has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 1.22% for VB.

What is the main difference between DISV and VB?

DISV is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while VB is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for DISV and 0.03% for VB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DISV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.46), 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.