SVXY vs. DFVQX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SVXY (ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF) and DFVQX (DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio) are both funds - SVXY is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index (-100%), while DFVQX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SVXY returned -1.59%/yr vs 9.99%/yr for DFVQX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SVXY charges 1.38%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for DFVQX.

Performance

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY) and DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio (DFVQX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVXY achieves a -0.92% return, which is significantly lower than DFVQX's 11.85% return. Over the past 10 years, SVXY has underperformed DFVQX with an annualized return of -1.59%, while DFVQX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.99% annualized return.

SVXY

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 8.44%
• YTD: -0.92%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 33.37%
• 3Y*: 13.21%
• 5Y*: 15.76%
• 10Y*: -1.59%

DFVQX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 11.85%
• 6M: 15.01%
• 1Y: 30.09%
• 3Y*: 20.79%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 9.99%

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

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SVXY ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF	-0.92%	10.63%	-3.17%	76.21%	-4.66%	48.53%	-36.47%	54.21%	-91.75%	181.84%
DFVQX DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio	11.85%	38.02%	4.55%	17.05%	-12.54%	15.01%	6.10%	20.87%	-19.03%	27.51%

Correlation

The correlation between SVXY and DFVQX is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.61

The correlation between SVXY and DFVQX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SVXY vs. DFVQX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVXY

SVXY Risk / Return Rank: 31
SVXY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SVXY Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
SVXY Omega Ratio Rank: 34
SVXY Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SVXY Martin Ratio Rank: 32

DFVQX

DFVQX Risk / Return Rank: 51
DFVQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DFVQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
DFVQX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFVQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
DFVQX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY) and DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio (DFVQX). 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.

	SVXY	DFVQX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	2.18	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	3.02	-1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.39	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	2.69	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.78	10.47	-5.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVXY Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is lower than the DFVQX Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVXY and DFVQX, 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

	SVXY	DFVQX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	2.18	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.67	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.03	0.61	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.61	-0.40

Drawdowns

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVXY drawdown since its inception was -95.25%, which is greater than DFVQX's maximum drawdown of -44.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVXY and DFVQX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVXY	DFVQX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.25%	-44.58%	-50.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.94%	-10.98%	-11.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.45%	-13.00%	-33.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.45%	-28.33%	-18.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-95.25%	-44.58%	-50.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-80.15%	-0.65%	-79.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-56.87%	-7.85%	-49.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.00%	2.80%	+4.20%

Volatility

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (SVXY) is 3.76%, while DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio (DFVQX) has a volatility of 4.02%. This indicates that SVXY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFVQX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SVXY	DFVQX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	4.02%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.42%	11.02%	+10.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.62%	13.62%	+15.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.38%	15.64%	+19.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.75%	16.54%	+34.21%

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVXY has a 1.38% expense ratio, which is higher than DFVQX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVXY vs. DFVQX - Dividend Comparison

SVXY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFVQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFVQX DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio	2.91%	3.06%	3.56%	3.47%	2.73%	4.76%	1.79%	2.68%	5.96%	1.81%	2.15%	2.77%
SVXY ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVXY and DFVQX in my portfolio?

SVXY and DFVQX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVXY or DFVQX?

DFVQX has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to SVXY (3.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVXY dropped -95.25% vs DFVQX's -44.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFVQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.17), 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.