ESMLvsDFASETF Comparison
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iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) and Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) belong to the same industry segment: US Small Cap. ESML's top 3 sector exposures are Finance, Technology and Healthcare. In contrast, DFAS's top sector exposures are Finance, Industrials and Technology. ESML is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.17%, versus 0.26% for DFAS. ESML is up 17.26% year-to-date (YTD) with +$340M in YTD flows. DFAS performs worse with 15.09% YTD performance, and +$1.55B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of ESML and DFAS 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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ESML vs DFAS performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/30/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ESML DFAS | +2.86%+2.84% | -0.32%-1.69% | +17.26%+15.09% | +19.70%+18.83% | +77.61%+67.07% | +36.48%+38.96% |
| Flows | ESML DFAS | -$61M+$118M | -$73M+$374M | +$340M+$1.55B | +$386M+$1.90B | +$612M+$5.34B | +$946M+$7.56B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ESML DFAS | +13.41%+11.79% | +16.36%+15.04% | +19.46%+19.18% | +21.15%+20.53% |
| Max drawdown | ESML DFAS | -8.35%-8.37% | -9.05%-9.26% | -26.61%-26.11% | -28.52%-26.11% |
| Max drawdown duration | ESML DFAS | 75d75d | 46d66d | 296d373d | 980d373d |
Trading data
ESML | DFAS | |
Last sale 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM | $53.48 | $79.60 |
| Previous close 10/29/2026 | $54.19 | $80.56 |
| 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 indexESML | DFAS | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ESML | DFAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $53.48 | $79.60 |
| 1D performance | -1.31% | -1.19% |
| AuM | $2.73 B | $15.38 B |
| E/R | 0.17% | 0.26% |
Characteristics
ESML | DFAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Active |
| Provider | iShares | Dimensional |
| Benchmark | MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index | - |
| N° of holdings | 905 | 2013 |
| Asset class | Equities | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | April 10, 2018 | June 14, 2021 |
| ESG | Yes | No |
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Exposure
Countries
ESML
USA
95.91%
Other
4.09%
DFAS
USA
95.91%
Other
4.09%
Sectors
ESML
Finance
21.56%
Technology
16.15%
Healthcare
15.79%
Industrials
14.06%
Other
32.43%
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%
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Diversification
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
6.45%
DFAS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
3.88%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of September 30, 2026
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%
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%
Frequently asked questions about ESML and DFAS
How have the ESML and DFAS ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, ESML is up 17.26% year-to-date (YTD), while DFAS has returned 15.09%. That puts ESML better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: ESML or DFAS?
Year-to-date, the ESML ETF saw +$340M in flows, compared to +$1.55B for DFAS.
Which ETF is more volatile: ESML or DFAS?
Over the past year, ESML had a volatility of 16.36%, while DFAS experienced 15.04%.
Which ETF is bigger: ESML or DFAS?
As of October 30, 2026, ESML holds $2.73 B in assets under management (AUM), while DFAS manages $15.38 B.
What sectors do the ESML and DFAS ETFs invest in?
ESML leans toward sectors like Finance, Technology and Healthcare. Meanwhile, DFAS focuses on Finance, Industrials and Technology.
What are the top holdings of the ESML ETF and DFAS ETF?
ESML top holdings include Moderna, Inc., Assurant, Inc. and US Foods Holding Corp.. DFAS holds in its top three: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., WESCO International, Inc. and APA Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: ESML or DFAS?
ESML holds 906 securities with 6.45% of its assets in the top 15. DFAS has 2051 securities and a top 15 weight of 3.88%.
Latest news about ESML & DFAS
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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