DFAS vs FESC
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF vs First Eagle Small Cap Equity ETF
Which is better, DFAS or FESC?
DFAS costs less.
DFAS has a lower expense ratio.
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 | DFAS | FESC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.27%Best | 0.55% |
| AUM | $34.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 2,060 | 184 |
| YTD Return | +10.62%Best | -9.73% |
| 1Y Return | +14.08% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.05% | - |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | First Eagle Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 15, 1998 | Jun 30, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
DFAS vs FESC 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
DFAS vs FESC Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional and First Eagle Small Cap Equity ETF (FESC) is an ETF from First Eagle Investments. Year to date, DFAS is up 10.62% versus a loss of 9.73% for FESC.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAS charges 0.27% per year while FESC charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $27 vs $55 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAS currently yields 1.04% against 0.00% for FESC.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.6% of FESC's money is in holdings DFAS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFAS, our book for it covers 93.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,552 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 181 in FESC, against full books of 2,060 and 184.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAS | Weight in FESC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 0.07% | 0.56% | 0.49% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAS and FESC 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, DFAS or FESC?
DFAS has an expense ratio of 0.27% while FESC charges 0.55%. DFAS is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAS or FESC?
DFAS yields 1.04% while FESC yields 0.00%, so DFAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FESC better than DFAS?
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.