DSCGX vs. DFFVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DSCGX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Growth Portfolio) and DFFVX (DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DSCGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFFVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DSCGX returned 10.53%/yr vs 11.05%/yr for DFFVX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DSCGX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for DFFVX.

Performance

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DSCGX) and DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DFFVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSCGX achieves a 9.38% return, which is significantly lower than DFFVX's 14.56% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DSCGX having a 10.53% annualized return and DFFVX not far ahead at 11.05%.

DSCGX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.65%
• YTD: 9.38%
• 6M: 8.48%
• 1Y: 18.14%
• 3Y*: 13.80%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

DFFVX

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 14.56%
• 6M: 14.49%
• 1Y: 32.25%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 8.76%
• 10Y*: 11.05%

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

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DSCGX DFA U.S. Small Cap Growth Portfolio	9.38%	5.94%	13.86%	21.25%	-17.79%	20.37%	19.35%	26.17%	-12.33%	15.99%
DFFVX DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio	14.56%	9.53%	9.34%	19.37%	-4.66%	31.53%	3.78%	21.51%	-15.79%	9.20%

Correlation

The correlation between DSCGX and DFFVX 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	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.93

The correlation between DSCGX and DFFVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DSCGX vs. DFFVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSCGX

DSCGX Risk / Return Rank: 20
DSCGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
DSCGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
DSCGX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
DSCGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
DSCGX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

DFFVX

DFFVX Risk / Return Rank: 56
DFFVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
DFFVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFFVX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
DFFVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DFFVX 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.

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DSCGX) and DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DFFVX). 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.

	DSCGX	DFFVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	2.03	-0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	2.98	-1.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.36	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	3.57	-1.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.30	11.57	-5.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSCGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the DFFVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSCGX and DFFVX, 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

	DSCGX	DFFVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	2.03	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.41	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.47	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.47	+0.07

Drawdowns

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSCGX drawdown since its inception was -41.44%, smaller than the maximum DFFVX drawdown of -64.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSCGX and DFFVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSCGX	DFFVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.44%	-64.21%	+22.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-9.70%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.46%	-26.09%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.32%	-26.09%	-5.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.44%	-50.75%	+9.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.21%	-9.71%	+2.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	2.98%	+0.15%

Volatility

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DSCGX) and DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DFFVX) have volatilities of 4.20% 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

	DSCGX	DFFVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.20%	4.26%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.77%	11.04%	+0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.61%	17.02%	-0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.41%	21.54%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.78%	23.67%	-1.89%

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSCGX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than DFFVX's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSCGX vs. DFFVX - Dividend Comparison

DSCGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.54%, less than DFFVX's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFFVX DFA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio	1.50%	1.69%	1.40%	2.26%	5.17%	2.74%	1.52%	3.82%	5.95%	5.16%	3.95%	5.84%
DSCGX DFA U.S. Small Cap Growth Portfolio	0.54%	0.60%	0.62%	0.72%	4.08%	3.27%	0.58%	1.28%	5.44%	1.50%	1.12%	1.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSCGX and DFFVX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, DSCGX and DFFVX 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.

Which is riskier, DSCGX or DFFVX?

DFFVX has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to DSCGX (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSCGX dropped -41.44% vs DFFVX's -64.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFFVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.20), 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.