VTSPX vs. DFSVX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VTSPX (Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares) and DFSVX (DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - VTSPX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while DFSVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, VTSPX returned 3.11%/yr vs 11.67%/yr for DFSVX. Their 0.05 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VTSPX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFSVX.

Performance

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) 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, VTSPX achieves a 1.83% return, which is significantly lower than DFSVX's 21.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSPX has underperformed DFSVX with an annualized return of 3.11%, while DFSVX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.67% annualized return.

VTSPX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• 6M: 1.30%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 1Y: 3.10%
• 3Y*: 5.05%
• 5Y*: 3.08%
• 10Y*: 3.11%
• ALL TIME*: 2.24%

DFSVX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 2.66%
• 6M: 13.54%
• YTD: 21.39%
• 1Y: 37.02%
• 3Y*: 15.42%
• 5Y*: 12.45%
• 10Y*: 11.67%
• ALL TIME*: 11.51%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.83%	6.06%	4.75%	4.61%	-2.82%	5.32%	4.99%	4.82%	0.59%	0.83%
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	21.39%	8.37%	9.58%	19.02%	-3.57%	39.97%	2.24%	18.15%	-15.13%	6.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSPX and DFSVX is 0.04, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.05

Return for Risk

VTSPX vs. DFSVX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTSPX

VTSPX Risk / Return Rank: 91
VTSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VTSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VTSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VTSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VTSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

DFSVX

DFSVX Risk / Return Rank: 85
DFSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
DFSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DFSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DFSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DFSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) 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.

	VTSPX	DFSVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.97	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	2.92	+0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.35	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.54	3.46	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.06	11.56	+2.49

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the DFSVX Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSPX 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.

Drawdowns

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSPX drawdown since its inception was -5.35%, smaller than the maximum DFSVX drawdown of -66.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSPX and DFSVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSPX	DFSVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.35%	-66.70%	+61.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.75%	-9.59%	+8.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.92%	-27.69%	+26.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-5.35%	-27.69%	+22.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-5.35%	-52.12%	+46.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.77%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.00%	-9.43%	+8.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.24%	2.90%	-2.66%

Volatility

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSPX) is 0.40%, while DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I (DFSVX) has a volatility of 3.33%. This indicates that VTSPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFSVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSPX	DFSVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	3.33%	-2.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.26%	10.70%	-9.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58%	16.90%	-15.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.66%	21.20%	-18.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.24%	23.79%	-21.55%

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VTSPX vs. DFSVX - Dividend Comparison

VTSPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, more than DFSVX's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSVX DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio I	1.50%	1.69%	1.47%	3.67%	6.77%	10.40%	1.96%	2.83%	7.54%	5.18%	4.18%	5.29%
VTSPX Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.16%	3.81%	2.70%	2.86%	6.84%	4.69%	1.21%	1.96%	2.47%	1.52%	0.80%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTSPX and DFSVX in my portfolio?

VTSPX and DFSVX have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTSPX or DFSVX?

DFSVX has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to VTSPX (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSPX dropped -5.35% vs DFSVX's -66.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.97), 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.