About

Working years ahead of the industry, Dimensional forged a new way to invest. The firm inaugurated its strategies in the US in 1981 with early research into the stronger performance of small cap stocks. Later, a comprehensive analysis of stock prices worldwide deepened the strategy repertoire and set a new standard for portfolio design. This evolution reflects an abiding belief in financial science and the efficacy of capital markets.

Broad Range of Asset Classes around the World
A$178 Billion under Management
Dimensional Worldwide Group of Companies
 
 
September 30, 2008.

At Dimensional, we see markets as an ally, not an adversary. Rather than trying to take advantage of the ways markets are mistaken, we take advantage of the ways markets are right—the ways they compensate investors. The firm designs portfolios to help our investors capture what the market offers in all its dimensions.

Dimensional is owned primarily by employees and directors. We primarily manage assets for institutional investors and the clients of registered financial advisors. From offices in Sydney, Santa Monica, London, and Austin, our professional staff supervise portfolios twenty-four hours a day.

DFA Australia Limited is the Australian subsidiary of Dimensional Fund Advisors and is licensed to provide funds management services in Australia and the US. DFA Australia Limited was established in 1994 to trade securities listed on the Asia Pacific stock markets on behalf of Dimensional's US institutional investors and the clients of US financial advisors.

In 1999, Dimensional's asset class strategies were introduced to the Australian market with the opening of the Dimensional Australian Resident Trusts. DFA Australia currently offers twelve strategies to investors in the Australian and New Zealand markets. From offices in Sydney, DFA Australia markets these strategies to superannuation funds, banks, insurance companies, other institutional investors, and financial advisors.

DFA Australia currently manages assets of over $20 billion throughout the Asia Pacific region with around $5 billion invested in Australian shares.

Timeline of Key Events
 
April 1981 Dimensional Fund Advisors commences in the USA.
 
August 1994 DFA Australia Limited ("DFA Australia") is incorporated in New South Wales, Australia.
 
September 1994 DFA Australia is licensed as a securities dealer by the Australian Securities Commission.
 
December 1994 DFA Australia registers as an investment adviser with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

DFA Australia's office opens to trade portfolios in the Asia Pacific region through local brokers. Initial funds under management total $400 million.
 
February 1997 License is varied to permit DFA Australia to act as the manager of the Dimensional Australian Resident Trusts.
 
May 1999 Prospectus is registered by DFA Australia with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
 
June 1999 DFA Australia sales and marketing division is established.

The Dimensional Short Term Fixed Interest and Australian Value Trusts are opened.
 
May 2000 Transition to Single Responsible Entity (SRE) status.
 
 
December 2002 DFA Australia funds under management total $4 billion and Australian-sourced funds total $1.3 billion.
 
December 2003 DFA Australia granted Australian Financial Services Licence.
 
July 2006 DFA Australia launches Dimensional Australian Core Equity Trust.
 
December 2006 DFA Australia launches Dimensional Global Core Equity Trust.


"Dimensional" refers to the Dimensional worldwide group of companies, rather than to one particular entity. These companies are Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada Inc., DFA Australia Limited, and Dimensional Fund Advisors Limited.

Tour: How Science Guides Our Strategies