SMLF vs. DFSTX
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX).
SMLF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Small Cap Diversified Multi-Factor. It was launched on Apr 28, 2015. DFSTX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Mar 19, 1992.
Performance
SMLF vs. DFSTX - Performance Comparison
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SMLF vs. DFSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF | 1.08% | 12.30% | 16.33% | 19.99% | -12.19% | 26.53% | 8.38% | 21.56% | -8.42% | 12.70% |
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | -0.13% | 8.07% | 11.50% | 17.66% | -13.50% | 30.50% | 11.19% | 21.78% | -13.20% | 11.19% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMLF achieves a 1.08% return, which is significantly higher than DFSTX's -0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, SMLF has outperformed DFSTX with an annualized return of 11.24%, while DFSTX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.69% annualized return.
SMLF
- 1D
- 3.34%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 6M
- 2.12%
- 1Y
- 22.93%
- 3Y*
- 15.22%
- 5Y*
- 8.55%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
DFSTX
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -7.67%
- YTD
- -0.13%
- 6M
- 1.57%
- 1Y
- 17.08%
- 3Y*
- 11.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.19%
- 10Y*
- 9.69%
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SMLF vs. DFSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMLF has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than DFSTX's 0.27% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
SMLF vs. DFSTX — Risk / Return Rank
SMLF
DFSTX
SMLF vs. DFSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX). 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.
| SMLF | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.02 | 0.80 | +0.21 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.55 | 1.27 | +0.27 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.17 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.56 | 1.03 | +0.53 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.74 | 4.16 | +2.59 |
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
| SMLF | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.02 | 0.80 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 | 0.30 | +0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | 0.44 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.49 | 0.48 | 0.00 |
Correlation
The correlation between SMLF and DFSTX is 0.91, 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
SMLF vs. DFSTX - Dividend Comparison
SMLF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, more than DFSTX's 1.09% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF | 1.17% | 1.14% | 1.33% | 1.13% | 1.23% | 1.07% | 1.33% | 1.39% | 1.17% | 0.93% | 0.78% | 0.79% |
DFSTX DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio | 1.09% | 1.08% | 1.05% | 2.45% | 5.18% | 6.39% | 1.08% | 3.30% | 5.16% | 4.56% | 3.10% | 5.90% |
Drawdowns
SMLF vs. DFSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMLF drawdown since its inception was -41.89%, smaller than the maximum DFSTX drawdown of -60.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLF and DFSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMLF | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.89% | -60.99% | +19.10% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.59% | -13.92% | -0.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.28% | -25.91% | -0.37% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.89% | -44.78% | +2.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.66% | -9.09% | +3.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.68% | -8.80% | +2.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.38% | 3.47% | -0.09% |
Volatility
SMLF vs. DFSTX - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) has a higher volatility of 7.09% compared to DFA U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFSTX) at 5.43%. This indicates that SMLF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SMLF | DFSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.09% | 5.43% | +1.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.36% | 12.19% | +1.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.67% | 21.77% | +0.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.14% | 20.61% | +0.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.75% | 22.06% | -0.31% |