DFAS vs SCDV
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF vs Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF
Which is better, DFAS or SCDV?
DFAS has been ahead.
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. DFAS led over 1Y and the full window. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.2%.
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 | DFAS | SCDV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $33.7B | $146M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 3,996 | 82 |
| YTD Return | +14.53%Best | +9.91% |
| 1Y Return | +18.48%Best | +10.72% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.43% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $11,816Best | $10,736 |
| Top 10 Weight | 2.7%Best | 48.2% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Bahl & Gaynor |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 15, 1998 | Dec 11, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2024 to Nov 10, 2026 (1.9 years).
DFAS vs SCDV 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
DFAS vs SCDV Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) is an ETF from Bahl & Gaynor. Over the past year DFAS returned +18.48% while SCDV returned +10.72%. Year to date, DFAS is up 14.53% versus a gain of 9.91% for SCDV.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 13.9% for DFAS. 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 -23.9% for DFAS and -22.8% for SCDV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAS charges 0.26% per year while SCDV charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $70 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAS currently yields 1.01% against 0.44% for SCDV.
Holdings Overlap
4.1% of DFAS's money is in holdings SCDV also owns. 80.6% of SCDV's money is in holdings DFAS also owns.
Most of SCDV is already inside DFAS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 2,093 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 36 in SCDV, against full books of 3,996 and 82.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for SCDV that do not appear in our book for DFAS (15.6% of the fund), and 1,506 for DFAS that do not appear in SCDV (93.5%).
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 DFAS | Weight in SCDV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENSGEnsign Group Inc/the | 0.18% | 9.26% | 9.08% |
| CHEChemed Corp | 0.14% | 5.45% | 5.31% |
| FSSFederal Signal Corp | 0.16% | 4.96% | 4.80% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 0.15% | 4.49% | 4.34% |
| NPOEnpro Industries Inc | 0.14% | 4.30% | 4.16% |
| AITApplied Industrial Technologies Inc | 0.28% | 3.44% | 3.16% |
| LFUSLittelfuse Inc | 0.19% | 3.30% | 3.11% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.00% | 3.43% | 3.43% |
| EVREvercore, Inc. Class A | 0.16% | 3.10% | 2.94% |
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 0.17% | 2.91% | 2.74% |
80.6% of SCDV is already inside DFAS.
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, DFAS or SCDV?
DFAS has an expense ratio of 0.26% while SCDV charges 0.70%. DFAS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAS or SCDV?
Over the past year DFAS returned +18.48% vs +10.72% for SCDV, so DFAS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DFAS annualized +9.18% vs +3.81% for SCDV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAS or SCDV?
SCDV has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 13.9% for DFAS. Worst drawdown: DFAS -23.9% vs SCDV -22.8%.
Should I hold both DFAS and SCDV?
DFAS and SCDV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFAS and SCDV?
80.6% of SCDV's money is in holdings DFAS also owns. 80.6% of SCDV's is in holdings DFAS also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 2,093 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 36 in SCDV.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAS or SCDV?
DFAS yields 1.01% while SCDV yields 0.44%, so DFAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCDV better than DFAS?
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. DFAS led over 1Y and the full window. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.