AVSU vs DFAU
Avantis Responsible US Equity ETF vs Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF
Which is better, AVSU or DFAU?
Nearly the same fund. DFAU costs less.
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. AVSU led over 1Y and 3Y, DFAU over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. AVSU is less concentrated, with 32.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.0%.
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 | AVSU | DFAU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $491M | $13.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 0.90% |
| Holdings | 1,356 | 2,124 |
| YTD Return | +15.56%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +21.64%Best | +17.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.00%Best | +21.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.7% | -21.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $17,811 | $18,183Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.3%Best | 34.0% |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 15, 2022 | Nov 17, 2020 |
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).
AVSU vs DFAU 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.
AVSU vs DFAU Performance
Avantis Responsible US Equity ETF (AVSU) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional. Over the past year AVSU returned +21.64% while DFAU returned +17.35%. Year to date, AVSU is up 15.56% versus a gain of 13.34% for DFAU.
Over three years, AVSU compounded at +22.00% per year against +21.60% for DFAU.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVSU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 15.8% for DFAU. 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 -21.7% for AVSU and -21.3% for DFAU. 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
AVSU charges 0.15% per year while DFAU charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $12 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVSU currently yields 0.89% against 0.90% for DFAU.
Holdings Overlap
95.9% of AVSU's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 79.7% of DFAU's money is in holdings AVSU also owns.
Most of AVSU is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
927 positions in common, counted across the 999 positions we hold weights for in AVSU and 2,205 in DFAU, against full books of 1,356 and 2,124.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 480 positions for DFAU that do not appear in our book for AVSU (17.9% of the fund), and 17 for AVSU that do not appear in DFAU (0.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVSU | Weight in DFAU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.08% | 6.81% | 0.73% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.66% | 6.99% | 1.33% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.69% | 5.31% | 0.62% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.54% | 3.34% | 0.20% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.53% | 2.56% | 0.03% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.42% | 1.87% | 0.55% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.55% | 1.61% | 0.94% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.01% | 2.11% | 0.10% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.24% | 2.15% | 0.91% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.60% | 1.27% | 0.33% |
95.9% of AVSU is already inside DFAU.
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, AVSU or DFAU?
AVSU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while DFAU charges 0.12%. DFAU is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVSU or DFAU?
Over the past year AVSU returned +21.64% vs +17.35% for DFAU, so AVSU leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVSU or DFAU?
AVSU has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 15.8% for DFAU. Worst drawdown: AVSU -21.7% vs DFAU -21.3%.
Should I hold both AVSU and DFAU?
AVSU and DFAU 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 AVSU and DFAU?
95.9% of AVSU's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 79.7% of DFAU's is in holdings AVSU also owns. They hold 927 positions in common, counted across the 999 positions we hold weights for in AVSU and 2,205 in DFAU.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVSU or DFAU?
AVSU yields 0.89% while DFAU yields 0.90%, so DFAU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFAU better than AVSU?
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. AVSU led over 1Y and 3Y, DFAU over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. AVSU is less concentrated, with 32.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.