AESB vs DFAS
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF vs Dimensional US Small Cap ETF
Which is better, AESB or DFAS?
DFAS costs less.
DFAS has a lower expense ratio.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AESB | DFAS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.27%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $34.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 331 | 2,060 |
| YTD Return | -4.24% | +10.62%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +14.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +7.05% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2026 | Dec 15, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
AESB vs DFAS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AESB vs DFAS Performance
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF (AESB) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional. Year to date, AESB is down 4.24% versus a gain of 10.62% for DFAS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AESB charges 0.38% per year while DFAS charges 0.27%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $27 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AESB currently yields 0.00% against 1.04% for DFAS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 167 holdings in AESB and 1,552 in DFAS, totalling 99.8% and 93.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 1,552 in DFAS, against full books of 331 and 2,060.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AESB and DFAS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AESB or DFAS?
AESB has an expense ratio of 0.38% while DFAS charges 0.27%. DFAS is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, AESB or DFAS?
AESB yields 0.00% while DFAS yields 1.04%, so DFAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFAS better than AESB?
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.