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 Industrials. DFAS is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.26%, versus 0.17% for ESML. DFAS is up 16.4% year-to-date (YTD) with +$1.16B in YTD flows. ESML performs better with 17.89% YTD performance, and +$412M 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 07/24/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | DFAS ESML | +0.23%-2.72% | +5.04%+5.51% | +16.40%+17.89% | +24.22%+27.44% | +46.37%+52.93% | +52.16%+47.49% |
| Flows | DFAS ESML | +$300M+$11M | +$558M+$383M | +$1.16B+$412M | +$1.94B+$419M | +$5.45B+$656M | +$7.32B+$1.17B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | DFAS ESML | +14.10%+16.54% | +16.37%+17.14% | +19.37%+19.64% | +20.71%+21.23% |
| Max drawdown | DFAS ESML | -4.24%-4.25% | -9.26%-9.05% | -26.11%-26.61% | -26.11%-28.52% |
| Max drawdown duration | DFAS ESML | 19d27d | 66d46d | 373d296d | 373d980d |
Trading data
DFAS | ESML | |
Last sale 7/27/2026 at 1:30 PM | $81.10 | $53.93 |
| Previous close 07/27/2026 | $80.74 | $53.86 |
| Consolidated volume 07/27/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of June 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 7/27/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
DFAS | ESML | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $81.10 | $53.93 |
| 1D performance | +0.45% | +0.13% |
| AuM | $15.20 B | $2.83 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 | 2055 | 904 |
| 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
95.88%
Other
4.12%
ESML
USA
96.57%
Other
3.43%
Sectors
DFAS
Finance
21.43%
Industrials
15.38%
Technology
12.89%
Healthcare
12.75%
Non-Energy Materi.
7.99%
Consumer Cyclical.
7.83%
Other
21.73%
ESML
Finance
21.07%
Technology
19.21%
Industrials
15.06%
Healthcare
13.51%
Other
31.15%
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Diversification
DFAS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
3.92%
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
10.18%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of June 30, 2026
DFAS
TTM Technologies, Inc.
0.37%
Amkor Technology, Inc.
0.30%
Onto Innovation, Inc.
0.28%
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc
0.27%
BorgWarner, Inc.
0.27%
WESCO International, Inc.
0.26%
IES Holdings, Inc.
0.26%
DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.
0.25%
Sanmina Corp.
0.25%
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
0.25%
Elanco Animal Health, Inc.
0.24%
Rambus, Inc.
0.24%
Element Solutions, Inc.
0.24%
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
0.23%
Moog, Inc.
0.23%
ESML
Sandisk Corp.
4.67%
US Foods Holding Corp.
0.53%
Carpenter Technology Corp.
0.45%
Assurant, Inc.
0.45%
nVent Electric Plc
0.42%
ATI, Inc.
0.41%
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
0.39%
BlackRock Cash Funds - Treasury
0.39%
Woodward, Inc.
0.37%
MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
0.37%
MKS, Inc.
0.36%
Moderna, Inc.
0.36%
Ovintiv, Inc.
0.35%
Onto Innovation, Inc.
0.34%
Lattice Semiconductor Corp.
0.32%
Frequently asked questions about DFAS and ESML
How have the DFAS and ESML ETFs performed in 2026?
As of July 24, 2026, DFAS is up 16.4% year-to-date (YTD), while ESML has returned 17.89%. 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 +$1.16B in flows, compared to +$412M for ESML.
Which ETF is more volatile: DFAS or ESML?
Over the past year, DFAS had a volatility of 16.37%, while ESML experienced 17.14%.
Which ETF is bigger: DFAS or ESML?
As of July 24, 2026, DFAS holds $15.20 B in assets under management (AUM), while ESML manages $2.83 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 Industrials.
What are the top holdings of the DFAS ETF and ESML ETF?
DFAS top holdings include TTM Technologies, Inc., Amkor Technology, Inc. and Onto Innovation, Inc.. ESML holds in its top three: Sandisk Corp., US Foods Holding Corp. and Carpenter Technology Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: DFAS or ESML?
DFAS holds 2100 securities with 3.92% of its assets in the top 15. ESML has 907 securities and a top 15 weight of 10.18%.
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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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