GMRAX vs. DFAS

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

GMRAX (Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund) and DFAS (Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, GMRAX returned 6.58%/yr vs 8.65%/yr for DFAS. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. GMRAX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DFAS.

Performance

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund (GMRAX) and Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GMRAX achieves a 19.02% return, which is significantly higher than DFAS's 16.93% return.

GMRAX

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: -1.68%
• 6M: 13.03%
• YTD: 19.02%
• 1Y: 36.97%
• 3Y*: 14.45%
• 5Y*: 6.58%
• 10Y*: 10.20%
• ALL TIME*: 7.68%

DFAS

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.61%
• 6M: 10.95%
• YTD: 16.93%
• 1Y: 29.19%
• 3Y*: 13.31%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.93%

*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)
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	$35.83M	$42.77M	$37.37M
GMRAX Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GMRAX Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund	19.02%	12.26%	9.12%	17.56%	-20.82%	-3.46%
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	16.93%	8.17%	10.21%	17.83%	-13.84%	4.52%

Correlation

The correlation between GMRAX and DFAS is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021	0.97

The correlation between GMRAX and DFAS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GMRAX vs. DFAS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GMRAX

GMRAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
GMRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
GMRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
GMRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
GMRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
GMRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

DFAS

DFAS Risk / Return Rank: 75
DFAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DFAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFAS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
DFAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DFAS Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund (GMRAX) and Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS). 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.

	GMRAX	DFAS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.62	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.42	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.29	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.88	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.61	10.09	+0.52

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GMRAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the DFAS Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GMRAX and DFAS, 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

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GMRAX drawdown since its inception was -59.36%, which is greater than DFAS's maximum drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GMRAX and DFAS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GMRAX	DFAS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.36%	-26.13%	-33.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.06%	-9.36%	-1.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.67%	-26.13%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.00%	-26.13%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.62%	-1.59%	-1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.53%	-8.08%	-4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	2.67%	+0.45%

Volatility

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Volatility Comparison

Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund (GMRAX) has a higher volatility of 3.75% compared to Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS) at 3.36%. This indicates that GMRAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GMRAX	DFAS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	3.36%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.14%	11.54%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.44%	16.67%	+2.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.60%	20.67%	+1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.52%	20.66%	+2.86%

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GMRAX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAS's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

GMRAX vs. DFAS - Dividend Comparison

GMRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, more than DFAS's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	0.98%	0.99%	0.93%	1.00%	1.03%	2.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GMRAX Nationwide Small Cap Index Fund	2.11%	2.45%	4.99%	0.52%	1.51%	6.81%	0.56%	7.38%	46.93%	17.82%	7.14%	12.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GMRAX and DFAS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GMRAX and DFAS 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, GMRAX or DFAS?

GMRAX has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to DFAS (3.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GMRAX dropped -59.36% vs DFAS's -26.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GMRAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.62), 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.