DFASvsESMLETF Comparison
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Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) belong to the same industry segment: US Small Cap. DFAS's top 3 sector exposures are Finance, Industrials and Technology. In contrast, ESML's top sector exposures are Finance, Technology and Healthcare. DFAS is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.26%, versus 0.17% for ESML. DFAS is up 16.58% year-to-date (YTD) with +$1.54B in YTD flows. ESML performs better with 18.79% YTD performance, and +$334M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of DFAS and ESML below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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DFAS vs ESML performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/29/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | DFAS ESML | +3.61%+3.66% | +0.39%+2.53% | +16.58%+18.79% | +19.24%+20.21% | +69.24%+79.94% | +43.99%+41.55% |
| Flows | DFAS ESML | +$113M-$61M | +$379M-$78M | +$1.54B+$334M | +$1.90B+$330M | +$5.33B+$606M | +$7.55B+$941M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | DFAS ESML | +11.62%+13.49% | +15.01%+16.33% | +19.18%+19.46% | +20.55%+21.17% |
| Max drawdown | DFAS ESML | -8.37%-8.35% | -9.26%-9.05% | -26.11%-26.61% | -26.11%-28.52% |
| Max drawdown duration | DFAS ESML | 74d74d | 66d46d | 373d296d | 373d980d |
Trading data
DFAS | ESML | |
Last sale 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM | $79.56 | $53.48 |
| Previous close 10/29/2026 | $80.56 | $54.19 |
| Consolidated volume 10/29/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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DFAS
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexDFAS | ESML | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
DFAS | ESML | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $79.56 | $53.48 |
| 1D performance | -1.24% | -1.31% |
| AuM | $15.57 B | $2.76 B |
| E/R | 0.26% | 0.17% |
Characteristics
DFAS | ESML | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | Dimensional | iShares |
| Benchmark | - | MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index |
| N° of holdings | 2013 | 905 |
| Asset class | - | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | June 14, 2021 | April 10, 2018 |
| ESG | No | Yes |
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Exposure
Countries
DFAS
USA
95.91%
Other
4.09%
ESML
USA
95.91%
Other
4.09%
Sectors
DFAS
Finance
21.59%
Industrials
14.84%
Technology
13.06%
Healthcare
13.04%
Non-Energy Materi.
7.48%
Consumer Cyclical.
7.47%
Other
22.5%
ESML
Finance
21.56%
Technology
16.15%
Healthcare
15.79%
Industrials
14.06%
Other
32.43%
Diversification
DFAS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
3.88%
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
6.45%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of September 30, 2026
DFAS
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
0.29%
WESCO International, Inc.
0.27%
APA Corp.
0.27%
DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.
0.26%
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.
0.26%
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc
0.26%
TTM Technologies, Inc.
0.26%
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
0.26%
The J. M. Smucker Co.
0.26%
Onto Innovation, Inc.
0.25%
BorgWarner, Inc.
0.25%
Revvity, Inc.
0.25%
IES Holdings, Inc.
0.25%
Invesco Ltd.
0.25%
Arrow Electronics, Inc.
0.24%
ESML
Moderna, Inc.
1.07%
Assurant, Inc.
0.61%
US Foods Holding Corp.
0.53%
Ovintiv, Inc.
0.42%
Guardant Health, Inc.
0.38%
ONE Gas, Inc.
0.38%
Revvity, Inc.
0.37%
Royal Gold, Inc.
0.36%
Dynatrace, Inc.
0.35%
Nutanix, Inc.
0.35%
Equitable Holdings, Inc.
0.34%
Trimble, Inc.
0.33%
TXNM Energy, Inc.
0.32%
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
0.32%
Woodward, Inc.
0.31%
Frequently asked questions about DFAS and ESML
How have the DFAS and ESML ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 29, 2026, DFAS is up 16.58% year-to-date (YTD), while ESML has returned 18.79%. That puts ESML better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: DFAS or ESML?
Year-to-date, the DFAS ETF saw +$1.54B in flows, compared to +$334M for ESML.
Which ETF is more volatile: DFAS or ESML?
Over the past year, DFAS had a volatility of 15.01%, while ESML experienced 16.33%.
Which ETF is bigger: DFAS or ESML?
As of October 29, 2026, DFAS holds $15.57 B in assets under management (AUM), while ESML manages $2.76 B.
What sectors do the DFAS and ESML ETFs invest in?
DFAS leans toward sectors like Finance, Industrials and Technology. Meanwhile, ESML focuses on Finance, Technology and Healthcare.
What are the top holdings of the DFAS ETF and ESML ETF?
DFAS top holdings include Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., WESCO International, Inc. and APA Corp.. ESML holds in its top three: Moderna, Inc., Assurant, Inc. and US Foods Holding Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: DFAS or ESML?
DFAS holds 2051 securities with 3.88% of its assets in the top 15. ESML has 906 securities and a top 15 weight of 6.45%.
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Latest news about DFAS & ESML
Small Caps and Value Stocks Continue to Rally Amid Market Rotation
July 22, 2024
DFAS
Dimensional Fund Advisors Celebrates 3-Year ETF Anniversary
November 8, 2023
DFAS
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