DFAI vs DFIC
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF vs Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF
Which is better, DFAI or DFIC?
Nearly the same fund. DFAI costs less.
DFAI has a lower expense ratio. DFAI led over 1Y, DFIC over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | DFAI | DFIC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.23% |
| AUM | $18.0B | $15.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.43% | 2.53% |
| Holdings | 3,697 | 4,134 |
| YTD Return | +8.91%Best | +7.66% |
| 1Y Return | +16.40%Best | +15.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.60% | +19.80%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.74% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8%Best | -24.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $16,595Tie | $16,595Tie |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Mar 23, 2022 |
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 24, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.6 years).
DFAI vs DFIC 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.
DFAI vs DFIC Performance
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) is an ETF from Dimensional and Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) is an ETF from Dimensional. Over the past year DFAI returned +16.40% while DFIC returned +15.59%. Year to date, DFAI is up 8.91% versus a gain of 7.66% for DFIC.
Over three years, DFAI compounded at +19.60% per year against +19.80% for DFIC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFIC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% 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 -23.8% for DFAI and -24.4% for DFIC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAI charges 0.18% per year while DFIC charges 0.23%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $23 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAI currently yields 2.43% against 2.53% for DFIC.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,596 holdings in DFAI and 4,011 in DFIC, totalling 92.3% and 94.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3,428 positions appear in both.
3,428 positions in common, counted across the 3,596 positions we hold weights for in DFAI and 4,011 in DFIC, against full books of 3,697 and 4,134.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAI | Weight in DFIC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASL:ASAsml Holding Nv Unsponsored Adr Ordinary Shares | 1.69% | 1.08% | 0.61% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 1.01% | 0.60% | 0.41% |
| TTE:PATotal Fina Elf Holdings Usa, Inc. | 0.66% | 0.73% | 0.07% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.80% | 0.59% | 0.21% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.00% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 1.14% | 0.10% | 1.04% |
| SHEL:LNShell Plc Ord GBP0.07 | 1.12% | 0.11% | 1.01% |
| NVS:SMNovartis Ag Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.58% | 0.65% | 0.07% |
| 8306:TKMitsubishi Ufj Financial Group Inc | 0.81% | 0.38% | 0.43% |
| ALVG:SGAllianz Se | 0.62% | 0.50% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAI and DFIC 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, DFAI or DFIC?
DFAI has an expense ratio of 0.18% while DFIC charges 0.23%. DFAI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAI or DFIC?
Over the past year DFAI returned +16.40% vs +15.59% for DFIC, so DFAI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAI or DFIC?
DFIC has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.5% for DFAI. Worst drawdown: DFAI -23.8% vs DFIC -24.4%.
Should I hold both DFAI and DFIC?
DFAI and DFIC have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAI or DFIC?
DFAI yields 2.43% while DFIC yields 2.53%, so DFIC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFIC better than DFAI?
DFAI has a lower expense ratio. DFAI led over 1Y, DFIC over 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.