SBB vs. DFAS
SBB (ProShares Short SmallCap600) and DFAS (Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SBB is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (-100%), while DFAS is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. SBB is passively managed, while DFAS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SBB returned -5.42%/yr vs 8.10%/yr for DFAS. At a correlation of -0.98, they often move in opposite directions. SBB charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DFAS.
Performance
SBB vs. DFAS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SBB achieves a -16.65% return, which is significantly lower than DFAS's 16.19% return.
SBB
- 1D
- -1.66%
- 1M
- -5.49%
- YTD
- -16.65%
- 6M
- -14.34%
- 1Y
- -23.61%
- 3Y*
- -11.57%
- 5Y*
- -5.42%
- 10Y*
- -12.26%
DFAS
- 1D
- 1.00%
- 1M
- 4.17%
- YTD
- 16.19%
- 6M
- 13.63%
- 1Y
- 28.86%
- 3Y*
- 16.42%
- 5Y*
- 8.10%
- 10Y*
- —
SBB vs. DFAS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SBB ProShares Short SmallCap600 | -16.65% | -3.56% | -3.73% | -10.44% | 13.75% | -3.89% |
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | 16.19% | 8.17% | 10.21% | 17.83% | -13.84% | 4.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between SBB and DFAS is -0.97, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021 | -0.98 |
The correlation between SBB and DFAS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.98 to -0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SBB vs. DFAS — Risk / Return Rank
SBB
DFAS
SBB vs. DFAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short SmallCap600 (SBB) 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.
| SBB | DFAS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.03 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.79 | 1.30 | -0.50 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.97 | 3.10 | -4.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.81 | 10.64 | -12.45 |
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Drawdowns
SBB vs. DFAS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SBB drawdown since its inception was -95.91%, which is greater than DFAS's maximum drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBB and DFAS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SBB | DFAS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -95.91% | -26.13% | -69.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -24.44% | -9.36% | -15.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -37.62% | -26.13% | -11.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.62% | -26.13% | -11.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -73.86% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -95.91% | 0.00% | -95.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -74.58% | -8.22% | -66.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.05% | 2.72% | +10.33% |
Volatility
SBB vs. DFAS - Volatility Comparison
ProShares Short SmallCap600 (SBB) has a higher volatility of 5.08% compared to Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS) at 4.80%. This indicates that SBB'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.
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Volatility by Period
| SBB | DFAS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.08% | 4.80% | +0.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.48% | 11.97% | +0.51% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.06% | 16.97% | +1.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.68% | 20.80% | +0.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.28% | 20.81% | +2.47% |
SBB vs. DFAS - Expense Ratio Comparison
SBB has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAS's 0.26% expense ratio.
Dividends
SBB vs. DFAS - Dividend Comparison
SBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, more than DFAS's 0.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.93% | 1.00% | 1.03% | 2.87% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SBB ProShares Short SmallCap600 | 3.77% | 3.44% | 4.86% | 4.64% | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 1.20% | 0.17% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SBB and DFAS have a correlation of -0.97, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SBB has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to DFAS (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBB dropped -95.91% vs DFAS's -26.13%.
On 5-year performance, DFAS leads with 8.10% vs -5.42% for SBB. On fees, DFAS is cheaper at 0.26% per year. On volatility, DFAS has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DFAS has performed better with a 8.10% return vs -5.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFAS is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SBB.
SBB has the higher dividend yield at 3.77%, compared with 0.99% for DFAS.
SBB is categorized as Inverse Equities, while DFAS is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SBB and 0.26% for DFAS.
DFAS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -1.31), 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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