VO vs. DFSVX
VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) and DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) are both funds - VO is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, while DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. VO is passively managed, while DFSVX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VO returned 11.77%/yr vs 11.75%/yr for DFSVX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFSVX.
Performance
VO vs. DFSVX - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VO achieves a 10.43% return, which is significantly lower than DFSVX's 17.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VO having a 11.77% annualized return and DFSVX not far behind at 11.75%.
VO
- 1D
- 0.97%
- 1M
- 2.97%
- YTD
- 10.43%
- 6M
- 9.31%
- 1Y
- 19.60%
- 3Y*
- 15.74%
- 5Y*
- 7.79%
- 10Y*
- 11.77%
DFSVX
- 1D
- 1.63%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- YTD
- 17.78%
- 6M
- 15.07%
- 1Y
- 36.45%
- 3Y*
- 17.62%
- 5Y*
- 10.49%
- 10Y*
- 11.75%
VO vs. DFSVX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 10.43% | 11.62% | 15.31% | 16.03% | -18.73% | 24.70% | 18.10% | 30.98% | -9.24% | 19.28% |
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I | 17.78% | 8.37% | 9.58% | 19.02% | -3.57% | 39.97% | 2.24% | 18.15% | -15.13% | 6.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between VO and DFSVX is 0.84, 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 | 0.84 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004 | 0.88 |
The correlation between VO and DFSVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VO vs. DFSVX — Risk / Return Rank
VO
DFSVX
VO vs. DFSVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) 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.
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.
| VO | DFSVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.80 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.35 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.23 | 3.58 | -1.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.44 | 11.45 | -3.01 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VO vs. DFSVX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VO drawdown since its inception was -58.87%, smaller than the maximum DFSVX drawdown of -66.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VO and DFSVX.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VO | DFSVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.87% | -66.70% | +7.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.17% | -9.59% | +1.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.02% | -27.69% | +8.67% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.57% | -27.69% | +0.12% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.37% | -52.12% | +12.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.45% | 0.00% | -0.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.85% | -9.46% | +1.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.16% | 2.99% | -0.83% |
Volatility
VO vs. DFSVX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) have volatilities of 4.31% and 4.27%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VO | DFSVX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.31% | 4.27% | +0.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.71% | 11.51% | -1.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.74% | 17.53% | -4.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.65% | 21.50% | -3.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.96% | 23.89% | -4.93% |
VO vs. DFSVX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSVX's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
VO vs. DFSVX - Dividend Comparison
VO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than DFSVX's 1.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I | 1.48% | 1.69% | 1.47% | 3.67% | 6.77% | 10.40% | 1.96% | 2.83% | 7.54% | 5.18% | 4.18% | 5.29% |
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF | 1.36% | 1.52% | 1.49% | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.12% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.82% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.47% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VO and DFSVX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VO has higher volatility (4.31%) compared to DFSVX (4.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VO dropped -58.87% vs DFSVX's -66.70%.
DFSVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.43), 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.
Find the right allocation for VO and DFSVX
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer