DFSV vs IWN
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF vs iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF
Which is better, DFSV or IWN?
Nearly the same fund. IWN costs less.
IWN has a lower expense ratio. DFSV led over 1Y and the full window, IWN over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. IWN is less concentrated, with 5.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DFSV | IWN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.24%Best |
| AUM | $27.2B | $13.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.45% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 31 | 1,393 |
| YTD Return | +14.48% | +14.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.41%Best | +17.60% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.41% | +18.07%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.58% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.2% | 20.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.0% | -26.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $16,081Best | $14,653 |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.6% | 5.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Small Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2022 | Jul 24, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.6 years).
DFSV vs IWN growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.6 years both funds cover.
DFSV vs IWN Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) is an ETF from Dimensional and iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year DFSV returned +20.41% while IWN returned +17.60%. Year to date, DFSV is up 14.48% versus a gain of 14.77% for IWN.
Over three years, DFSV compounded at +16.41% per year against +18.07% for IWN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 20.9% for IWN. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -28.0% for DFSV and -26.7% for IWN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSV charges 0.30% per year while IWN charges 0.24%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $24 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSV currently yields 1.45% against 1.55% for IWN.
Holdings Overlap
50.3% of DFSV's money is in holdings IWN also owns. 55.6% of IWN's money is in holdings DFSV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
646 positions in common, counted across the 996 positions we hold weights for in DFSV and 1,290 in IWN, against full books of 31 and 1,393.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 513 positions for IWN that do not appear in our book for DFSV (38.8% of the fund), and 242 for DFSV that do not appear in IWN (46.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFSV | Weight in IWN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSATViasat Inc | 0.56% | 0.61% | 0.05% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.61% | 0.54% | 0.07% |
| ONBOld National Bancorp/In Common Stock | 0.59% | 0.53% | 0.06% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 0.56% | 0.55% | 0.01% |
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp. | 0.41% | 0.60% | 0.19% |
| MATXMatson Inc | 0.45% | 0.46% | 0.01% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.34% | 0.55% | 0.21% |
| CMCCommercial Metals Co | 0.47% | 0.40% | 0.07% |
| UBSIUnited Bankshares Inc/Wv | 0.43% | 0.43% | 0.00% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 0.49% | 0.31% | 0.18% |
55.6% of IWN is already inside DFSV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFSV or IWN?
DFSV has an expense ratio of 0.30% while IWN charges 0.24%. IWN is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSV or IWN?
Over the past year DFSV returned +20.41% vs +17.60% for IWN, so DFSV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSV or IWN?
DFSV has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 20.9% for IWN. Worst drawdown: DFSV -28.0% vs IWN -26.7%.
Should I hold both DFSV and IWN?
DFSV and IWN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFSV and IWN?
55.6% of IWN's money is in holdings DFSV also owns. 55.6% of IWN's is in holdings DFSV also owns. They hold 646 positions in common, counted across the 996 positions we hold weights for in DFSV and 1,290 in IWN.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSV or IWN?
DFSV yields 1.45% while IWN yields 1.55%, so IWN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IWN better than DFSV?
IWN has a lower expense ratio. DFSV led over 1Y and the full window, IWN over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. IWN is less concentrated, with 5.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 6.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.