SCHA vs. DFSVX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) and DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) are both funds - SCHA is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Index, while DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SCHA returned 10.95%/yr vs 11.15%/yr for DFSVX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCHA charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFSVX.

Performance

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCHA achieves a 17.78% return, which is significantly higher than DFSVX's 14.98% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SCHA having a 10.95% annualized return and DFSVX not far ahead at 11.15%.

SCHA

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 17.78%
• 6M: 16.92%
• 1Y: 36.31%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 10.95%

DFSVX

• 1D: -1.27%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 14.98%
• 6M: 15.29%
• 1Y: 32.71%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: 11.15%

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

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	17.78%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	14.94%
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	14.98%	8.37%	9.58%	19.02%	-3.57%	39.97%	2.24%	18.15%	-15.13%	6.82%

Correlation

The correlation between SCHA and DFSVX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2009	0.95

The correlation between SCHA and DFSVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCHA vs. DFSVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

DFSVX

DFSVX Risk / Return Rank: 58
DFSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
DFSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
DFSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
DFSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DFSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX). 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.

	SCHA	DFSVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.99	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	2.90	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.35	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.64	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.05	11.63	+2.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCHA Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the DFSVX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCHA and DFSVX, 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

	SCHA	DFSVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	1.99	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.46	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.47	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.52	+0.04

Drawdowns

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCHA drawdown since its inception was -42.41%, smaller than the maximum DFSVX drawdown of -66.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCHA and DFSVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCHA	DFSVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.41%	-66.70%	+24.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-9.59%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.29%	-27.69%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.79%	-27.69%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.41%	-52.12%	+9.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.50%	-1.27%	-1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-9.47%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	2.99%	-0.40%

Volatility

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Volatility Comparison

Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a higher volatility of 5.79% compared to DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) at 4.28%. This indicates that SCHA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCHA	DFSVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.79%	4.28%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.28%	11.39%	+1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.31%	17.53%	+0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.98%	21.49%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.74%	23.89%	-1.15%

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCHA has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSVX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCHA vs. DFSVX - Dividend Comparison

SCHA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than DFSVX's 1.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	1.51%	1.69%	1.47%	3.67%	6.77%	10.40%	1.96%	2.83%	7.54%	5.18%	4.18%	5.29%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.02%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCHA and DFSVX in my portfolio?

SCHA and DFSVX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCHA or DFSVX?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.79%) compared to DFSVX (4.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCHA dropped -42.41% vs DFSVX's -66.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.99), 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.