DWUSX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DWUSX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX).

DWUSX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Oct 31, 2012. VFSAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 7, 2019.

Performance

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DWUSX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DWUSX DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio	3.40%	39.16%	5.31%	17.40%	-11.83%	26.30%	4.96%	10.50%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.27%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWUSX achieves a 3.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFSAX's 1.27% return.

DWUSX

• 1D: 2.56%
• 1M: -7.73%
• YTD: 3.40%
• 6M: 8.96%
• 1Y: 35.84%
• 3Y*: 18.87%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: 10.76%

VFSAX

• 1D: 2.40%
• 1M: -8.22%
• YTD: 1.27%
• 6M: 3.64%
• 1Y: 29.20%
• 3Y*: 13.60%
• 5Y*: 5.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWUSX has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

DWUSX

DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio

VFSAX

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

DWUSX vs. VFSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWUSX

DWUSX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DWUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DWUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DWUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
DWUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DWUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 90
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DWUSX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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.

	DWUSX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.06	+0.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.63	+0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.41	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	2.49	+0.33
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.95	9.78	+1.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWUSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWUSX and VFSAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DWUSX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	2.06	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.36	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.48	+0.10

Correlation

The correlation between DWUSX and VFSAX is 0.95, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

DWUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than VFSAX's 3.27% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWUSX DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio	2.70%	2.64%	2.86%	2.81%	2.91%	16.59%	1.37%	3.22%	5.51%	3.18%	1.94%	1.27%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.27%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWUSX drawdown since its inception was -49.65%, which is greater than VFSAX's maximum drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWUSX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWUSX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.65%	-39.86%	-9.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.26%	-11.48%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.71%	-33.81%	+7.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.95%	-9.36%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.74%	-9.42%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	2.92%	+0.13%

Volatility

DWUSX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

DFA World ex U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DWUSX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) have volatilities of 6.72% and 6.64%, 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

	DWUSX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.72%	6.64%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	10.11%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.63%	14.58%	+0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.16%	14.90%	+0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	17.03%	-1.10%