DFAS ETF — Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF

Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS)

Updated October 16, 2026.

DFAS is an ETF. its distribution rate is 1.03%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.04%, its expense ratio is 0.27%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 100/100 (Safe). Total return is 43.1% over the past 5.3 years, 50.0 points behind SPY at 93.1%.

Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF is an actively managed fund that invests broadly in U.S. small-cap stocks using a market capitalization weighted approach, with at least 80% of assets typically deployed in small-cap equities. The fund has a modest current distribution rate and pays distributions quarterly, with a low expense ratio of 0.27%. It may appeal to investors seeking equity exposure to U.S. small companies with an active management approach.

DFAS performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 43.1% over the past 5.3 years, 50.0 points behind SPY at 93.1%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 15.9%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.4%.

DFAS key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

100 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.03%

Issuer

Dimensional

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

12/15/1998

Expense ratio

0.27%

Distribution rate

1.03%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.04%

Last close

$77.58 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$15,106,393,334

Average volume

541521.0

Dividend

$0.20

Ex-dividend date

09/22/2026

Payment date

09/24/2026

Beta

1.06

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.03%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.04%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Dimensional or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

DFAS risks and drawbacks

DFAS's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.4%.

Who may consider DFAS — and who may not

DFAS may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (DFAS pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on DFAS

• DFAS dividend calendar
• DFAS dividend history
• All tickers starting with D

Tagged: Basket, Small Caps, Active.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from Dimensional.