DFAR vs VTI
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFAR or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.2%.
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 | DFAR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.2B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.59% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 242 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +7.13% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.57% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.06% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3% | -22.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $10,880 | $18,501Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.2% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.6 years).
DFAR vs VTI 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.
DFAR vs VTI Performance
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAR returned +6.57% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, DFAR is up 7.13% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, DFAR compounded at +10.06% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 15.8% for VTI. 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 -32.3% for DFAR and -22.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAR charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAR currently yields 3.59% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of DFAR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.9% of VTI's money is in holdings DFAR also owns.
Most of DFAR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
119 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in DFAR and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 242 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,093 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DFAR (95.6% of the fund), and 0 for DFAR that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 DFAR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 8.29% | 0.23% | 8.06% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 6.96% | 0.18% | 6.78% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.61% | 0.14% | 5.47% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.77% | 0.09% | 4.68% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.69% | 0.09% | 4.60% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 4.59% | 0.11% | 4.48% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 4.30% | 0.08% | 4.22% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 3.90% | 0.07% | 3.83% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 3.59% | 0.07% | 3.52% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 3.47% | 0.06% | 3.41% |
99.7% of DFAR is already inside VTI.
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, DFAR or VTI?
DFAR has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAR or VTI?
Over the past year DFAR returned +6.57% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAR or VTI?
DFAR has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DFAR -32.3% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both DFAR and VTI?
DFAR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFAR and VTI?
99.7% of DFAR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.9% of VTI's is in holdings DFAR also owns. They hold 119 positions in common, counted across the 120 positions we hold weights for in DFAR and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAR or VTI?
DFAR yields 3.59% while VTI yields 1.06%, so DFAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFAR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.