AVUS vs DFAU
Avantis US Equity ETF vs Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF
Which is better, AVUS or DFAU?
Nearly the same fund. DFAU costs less.
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. AVUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. AVUS is less concentrated, with 29.7% 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 | AVUS | DFAU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $14.9B | $13.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 0.90% |
| Holdings | 1,917 | 2,124 |
| YTD Return | +15.65%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +20.98%Best | +17.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.87%Best | +21.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.65%Best | +12.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.2%Best | -23.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,141Best | $18,044 |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.7%Best | 34.0% |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2019 | Nov 17, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.9 years).
AVUS 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 5.9 years both funds cover.
AVUS vs DFAU Performance
Avantis US Equity ETF (AVUS) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional. Over the past year AVUS returned +20.98% while DFAU returned +17.35%. Year to date, AVUS is up 15.65% versus a gain of 13.34% for DFAU.
Over three years, AVUS compounded at +21.87% per year against +21.60% for DFAU; over five years the annualized figures are +12.65% and +12.53% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, AVUS has the edge at +15.60% annualized vs +15.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 14.9% 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 -22.2% for AVUS and -23.6% 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
AVUS 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, AVUS currently yields 0.94% against 0.90% for DFAU.
Holdings Overlap
92.5% of AVUS's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 89.2% of DFAU's money is in holdings AVUS also owns.
Most of AVUS is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,151 positions in common, counted across the 1,309 positions we hold weights for in AVUS and 2,205 in DFAU, against full books of 1,917 and 2,124.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 379 positions for DFAU that do not appear in our book for AVUS (8.4% of the fund), and 45 for AVUS that do not appear in DFAU (2.0%).
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 AVUS | Weight in DFAU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.54% | 6.99% | 1.45% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.63% | 6.81% | 1.18% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.28% | 5.31% | 1.03% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.43% | 3.34% | 0.09% |
| GOOGLAlphabet, Inc. - Class a | 2.00% | 2.56% | 0.56% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 2.24% | 1.87% | 0.37% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.31% | 1.61% | 0.70% |
| GOOGAlphabate, Inc Class C | 1.62% | 2.11% | 0.49% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.00% | 2.15% | 1.15% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co | 1.41% | 1.27% | 0.14% |
92.5% of AVUS 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, AVUS or DFAU?
AVUS 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, AVUS or DFAU?
Over the past year AVUS returned +20.98% vs +17.35% for DFAU, so AVUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), AVUS annualized +15.60% vs +15.04% for DFAU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVUS or DFAU?
AVUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 14.9% for DFAU. Worst drawdown: AVUS -22.2% vs DFAU -23.6%.
Should I hold both AVUS and DFAU?
AVUS 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 AVUS and DFAU?
92.5% of AVUS's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 89.2% of DFAU's is in holdings AVUS also owns. They hold 1,151 positions in common, counted across the 1,309 positions we hold weights for in AVUS and 2,205 in DFAU.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVUS or DFAU?
AVUS yields 0.94% while DFAU yields 0.90%, so AVUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFAU better than AVUS?
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. AVUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. AVUS is less concentrated, with 29.7% 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.