AVSD vs DFAI
Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF vs Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
Which is better, AVSD or DFAI?
Nearly the same fund. DFAI costs less.
DFAI has a lower expense ratio. AVSD led over 3Y, DFAI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | AVSD | DFAI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $363M | $18.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.74% | 2.43% |
| Holdings | 2,096 | 3,697 |
| YTD Return | +6.44% | +8.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.95% | +16.40%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.73%Best | +19.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.74% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.6% | -23.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $16,718Tie | $16,718Tie |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 15, 2022 | Nov 17, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 17, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.6 years).
AVSD vs DFAI 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 covers the 4.6 years both funds cover.
AVSD vs DFAI Performance
Avantis Responsible International Equity ETF (AVSD) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) is an ETF from Dimensional. Over the past year AVSD returned +12.95% while DFAI returned +16.40%. Year to date, AVSD is up 6.44% versus a gain of 8.91% for DFAI.
Over three years, AVSD compounded at +20.73% per year against +19.60% for DFAI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVSD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 15.5% for DFAI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.6% for AVSD and -23.8% for DFAI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVSD charges 0.23% per year while DFAI charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $18 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVSD currently yields 2.74% against 2.43% for DFAI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 85.3% of AVSD's money is in holdings DFAI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFAI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of AVSD is already inside DFAI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,544 positions in common, counted across the 2,029 positions we hold weights for in AVSD and 3,596 in DFAI, against full books of 2,096 and 3,697.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVSD | Weight in DFAI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASL:ASAsml Holding Nv Unsponsored Adr Ordinary Shares | 1.27% | 1.69% | 0.42% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 1.04% | 1.01% | 0.03% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.79% | 0.64% | 0.15% |
| NVS:SMNovartis Ag Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.77% | 0.58% | 0.19% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.44% | 0.80% | 0.36% |
| TD:CAToronto Dominion Bank/The | 0.73% | 0.50% | 0.23% |
| SAF:PASafran Sa | 0.78% | 0.44% | 0.34% |
| ALVG:SGAllianz Se | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.06% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 0.64% | 0.54% | 0.10% |
| UCG:MIUnicredit Spa | 0.61% | 0.48% | 0.13% |
85.3% of AVSD is already inside DFAI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AVSD or DFAI?
AVSD has an expense ratio of 0.23% while DFAI charges 0.18%. DFAI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVSD or DFAI?
Over the past year AVSD returned +12.95% vs +16.40% for DFAI, so DFAI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVSD or DFAI?
AVSD has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.5% for DFAI. Worst drawdown: AVSD -25.6% vs DFAI -23.8%.
Should I hold both AVSD and DFAI?
AVSD and DFAI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AVSD and DFAI?
At least 85.3% of AVSD's money is in holdings DFAI also owns. Our book for DFAI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,544 positions in common, counted across the 2,029 positions we hold weights for in AVSD and 3,596 in DFAI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVSD or DFAI?
AVSD yields 2.74% while DFAI yields 2.43%, so AVSD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFAI better than AVSD?
DFAI has a lower expense ratio. AVSD led over 3Y, DFAI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.