DSM vs. DFP
Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional Small Cap Equity Fund (DSM) and Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund (DFP).
DSM is managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors. It was launched on Jan 1, 2013. DFP is managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors. It was launched on May 23, 2013.
Performance
DSM vs. DFP - Performance Comparison
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DSM vs. DFP - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DSM Dimensional Small Cap Equity Fund | -1.40% | 10.90% | 5.52% | 3.18% | -27.04% | 10.89% | 3.32% | 20.57% | -13.60% | 12.79% |
DFP Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund | -1.71% | 11.88% | 20.47% | 2.12% | -26.32% | 2.18% | 16.83% | 40.77% | -17.56% | 20.78% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DSM achieves a -1.40% return, which is significantly higher than DFP's -1.71% return. Over the past 10 years, DSM has underperformed DFP with an annualized return of 1.39%, while DFP has yielded a comparatively higher 6.02% annualized return.
DSM
- 1D
- 3.62%
- 1M
- -2.33%
- YTD
- -1.40%
- 6M
- 3.95%
- 1Y
- 9.09%
- 3Y*
- 4.23%
- 5Y*
- -1.07%
- 10Y*
- 1.39%
DFP
- 1D
- 2.55%
- 1M
- -7.02%
- YTD
- -1.71%
- 6M
- -3.74%
- 1Y
- 6.53%
- 3Y*
- 11.04%
- 5Y*
- -0.76%
- 10Y*
- 6.02%
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DSM vs. DFP - Expense Ratio Comparison
DSM has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is higher than DFP's 0.01% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Return for Risk
DSM vs. DFP — Risk / Return Rank
DSM
DFP
DSM vs. DFP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Small Cap Equity Fund (DSM) and Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund (DFP). 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.
| DSM | DFP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.77 | 0.55 | +0.22 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.13 | 0.78 | +0.35 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.14 | +0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.07 | 0.62 | +0.44 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.98 | 2.39 | +0.59 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DSM | DFP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.77 | 0.55 | +0.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.09 | -0.05 | -0.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.10 | 0.32 | -0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.31 | 0.35 | -0.04 |
Correlation
The correlation between DSM and DFP is 0.24, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.
Dividends
DSM vs. DFP - Dividend Comparison
DSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.53%, less than DFP's 7.42% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DSM Dimensional Small Cap Equity Fund | 4.53% | 4.07% | 3.72% | 4.27% | 5.95% | 4.31% | 4.57% | 5.19% | 6.11% | 5.82% | 6.19% | 6.17% |
DFP Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund | 7.42% | 6.99% | 6.81% | 7.39% | 10.54% | 7.03% | 6.36% | 6.41% | 8.75% | 7.11% | 8.16% | 8.38% |
Drawdowns
DSM vs. DFP - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DSM drawdown since its inception was -49.15%, roughly equal to the maximum DFP drawdown of -47.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSM and DFP.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DSM | DFP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.15% | -47.32% | -1.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.36% | -9.97% | +1.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.75% | -40.00% | +1.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.75% | -47.32% | +8.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.91% | -7.67% | -6.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.25% | -9.83% | +1.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.99% | 2.60% | +0.39% |
Volatility
DSM vs. DFP - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Small Cap Equity Fund (DSM) and Dimensional Financial Leaders Fund (DFP) have volatilities of 4.51% and 4.59%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| DSM | DFP | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.51% | 4.59% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.36% | 6.18% | +1.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.89% | 11.91% | -0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.38% | 14.68% | -2.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.45% | 18.94% | -5.49% |