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Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
07/29/2025: DFAS (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 6.34% | Avg. Invested days 48 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | ETF Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 1.15 | 52 Weeks Range 51.31 - 71.25 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 51.31 - 71.25 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF
ETF Overview
Overview
The Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS) seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in a broad and diverse portfolio of small-cap U.S. companies. It employs a market-cap-weighted approach, tilting toward smaller, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies within the small-cap universe.
Reputation and Reliability
Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) is a well-regarded firm known for its systematic, research-driven investment approach and low-cost investment solutions.
Management Expertise
DFA has a highly experienced management team with a long track record of managing quantitatively driven investment strategies.
Investment Objective
Goal
To provide long-term capital appreciation.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: The ETF does not track a specific index but is designed to capture the returns of the small-cap market, with a tilt towards companies with smaller market capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability.
Composition The ETF primarily holds stocks of U.S. small-cap companies.
Market Position
Market Share: Insufficient data available to provide an accurate market share.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 10710000000
Competitors
Key Competitors
- iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM)
- Vanguard Small-Cap ETF (VB)
- Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA)
Competitive Landscape
The small-cap ETF market is highly competitive, with several large players. DFAS competes based on its factor-based (size, value, profitability) approach, aiming to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns compared to purely market-cap-weighted ETFs. DFAS offers a focused approach, which may result in higher tracking error compared to broad index ETFs like IWM or VB. DFAS's active management approach and tilts, if successful, may lead to outperformance, but also exposes it to higher risk than pure passive index tracking.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance data not available in the context.
Benchmark Comparison: Benchmark comparison data not available in the context.
Expense Ratio: 0.12
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
The ETF has a generally adequate average trading volume for most investors.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread is generally tight, resulting in low trading costs.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
Economic growth, interest rate movements, and investor sentiment towards small-cap stocks influence the ETF's performance. The valuation and profitability of small-cap companies relative to large-cap companies play a vital role.
Growth Trajectory
The ETF's growth is driven by the overall performance of the U.S. small-cap market and the effectiveness of Dimensional's factor-based strategy in capturing excess returns. Changes to investment strategy and holdings are dictated by Dimensional's ongoing research and market conditions.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
DFAS benefits from Dimensional's long-standing reputation, rigorous research, and disciplined implementation of its factor-based investment strategy. The fund's tilt towards smaller, lower relative price, and more profitable companies aims to enhance returns over the long term. The ETF also has low expense ratio that leads to a competitive edge against other actively managed ETF's. Investors seeking exposure to the small-cap market with a focus on factors should consider DFAS.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
Small-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-cap stocks, resulting in higher volatility for this ETF.
Market Risk
The ETF is subject to market risk associated with investments in the U.S. equity market. Sector-specific risks within the small-cap universe also apply.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is a long-term investor seeking exposure to the U.S. small-cap market and is comfortable with the higher volatility associated with small-cap stocks. These investors should also be seeking strategies that focus on size, value and profitability factors.
Market Risk
The ETF is best for long-term investors seeking capital appreciation and willing to tolerate higher volatility in exchange for potentially higher returns.
Summary
The Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF offers investors exposure to the U.S. small-cap market through a factor-based investment strategy that aims to enhance returns. The ETF has low expense ratio and is offered by a well-known and reputable issuer. Investors should consider the higher volatility associated with small-cap stocks before investing. The ETF is suited for long-term investors seeking capital appreciation and willing to tolerate market fluctuations as part of a diversified portfolio.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Dimensional Fund Advisors Website
- ETF.com
- Morningstar
Disclaimers:
The data and analysis provided are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market share and performance data can change. Investors should conduct their own research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website |
The fund, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to generally purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. small cap companies. As a non-fundamental policy, normally, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small cap U.S. companies. The fund may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.

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