DISVX vs. ISVL
DISVX (DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio) and ISVL (iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF) are both funds - DISVX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while ISVL is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index. Over the past 5 years, DISVX returned 14.63%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for ISVL. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DISVX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for ISVL.
Performance
DISVX vs. ISVL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DISVX achieves a 9.80% return, which is significantly higher than ISVL's 9.12% return.
DISVX
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- 0.47%
- YTD
- 9.80%
- 6M
- 10.26%
- 1Y
- 35.59%
- 3Y*
- 24.88%
- 5Y*
- 14.63%
- 10Y*
- 10.71%
ISVL
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 0.13%
- YTD
- 9.12%
- 6M
- 9.39%
- 1Y
- 29.74%
- 3Y*
- 22.30%
- 5Y*
- 11.08%
- 10Y*
- —
DISVX vs. ISVL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio | 9.80% | 52.17% | 7.88% | 17.58% | -9.80% | 7.89% |
ISVL iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | 9.12% | 42.84% | 4.58% | 17.56% | -13.69% | 8.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between DISVX and ISVL is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2021 | 0.95 |
The correlation between DISVX and ISVL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DISVX vs. ISVL — Risk / Return Rank
DISVX
ISVL
DISVX vs. ISVL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX) and iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL). 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.
| DISVX | ISVL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.47 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.37 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.66 | 2.39 | +0.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.16 | 9.34 | -0.18 |
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Drawdowns
DISVX vs. ISVL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DISVX drawdown since its inception was -61.57%, which is greater than ISVL's maximum drawdown of -30.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DISVX and ISVL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DISVX | ISVL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -61.57% | -30.48% | -31.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.26% | -12.48% | -0.78% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.69% | -12.93% | -0.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.43% | -30.48% | +3.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.24% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.05% | -1.56% | -2.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.18% | -6.61% | -5.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.83% | 3.19% | +0.64% |
Volatility
DISVX vs. ISVL - Volatility Comparison
DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX) has a higher volatility of 4.75% compared to iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) at 4.43%. This indicates that DISVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISVL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DISVX | ISVL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.75% | 4.43% | +0.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.21% | 12.45% | -0.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.70% | 14.79% | -0.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.11% | 16.92% | -0.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.76% | 16.77% | -0.01% |
DISVX vs. ISVL - Expense Ratio Comparison
DISVX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than ISVL's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
DISVX vs. ISVL - Dividend Comparison
DISVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.57%, more than ISVL's 3.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISVX DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio | 6.57% | 7.17% | 4.56% | 3.87% | 2.40% | 3.51% | 1.84% | 3.97% | 5.91% | 3.77% | 5.85% | 3.51% |
ISVL iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | 3.16% | 2.69% | 3.92% | 3.82% | 3.37% | 2.82% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.90, DISVX and ISVL 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.
DISVX has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to ISVL (4.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DISVX dropped -61.57% vs ISVL's -30.48%.
DISVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.02), 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.
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