DFAU vs DFUS
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs Dimensional US Equity Market ETF
Which is better, DFAU or DFUS?
Nearly the same fund. DFUS costs less.
DFUS has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, DFUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.2%.
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 | DFAU | DFUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $13.1B | $21.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 0.87% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 2,253 |
| YTD Return | +13.34% | +13.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.35%Best | +17.12% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.60% | +22.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.53% | +12.82%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6%Best | -24.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,044 | $18,278Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.0%Best | 35.2% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Sep 25, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAU vs DFUS 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
DFAU vs DFUS Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Dimensional US Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is an ETF from Dimensional. Over the past year DFAU returned +17.35% while DFUS returned +17.12%. Year to date, DFAU is up 13.34% versus a gain of 13.39% for DFUS.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +21.60% per year against +22.25% for DFUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.53% and +12.82% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 15.4% 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 -23.6% for DFAU and -24.6% for DFUS. 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
DFAU charges 0.12% per year while DFUS charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $9 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAU currently yields 0.90% against 0.87% for DFUS.
Holdings Overlap
98.0% of DFAU's money is in holdings DFUS also owns. 98.1% of DFUS's money is in holdings DFAU also owns.
Most of DFUS is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
2,100 positions in common, counted across the 2,205 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 2,226 in DFUS, against full books of 2,124 and 2,253.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 5 positions for DFUS that do not appear in our book for DFAU (0.2% of the fund), and 6 for DFAU that do not appear in DFUS (0.3%).
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 DFAU | Weight in DFUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.99% | 7.11% | 0.12% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.81% | 6.78% | 0.03% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.31% | 5.21% | 0.10% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.34% | 3.56% | 0.22% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.56% | 2.78% | 0.22% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.15% | 2.38% | 0.23% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.11% | 2.28% | 0.17% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.87% | 2.04% | 0.17% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.61% | 1.57% | 0.04% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.23% | 1.52% | 0.29% |
98.1% of DFUS 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, DFAU or DFUS?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while DFUS charges 0.09%. DFUS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or DFUS?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.35% vs +17.12% for DFUS, so DFAU leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAU or DFUS?
DFUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 15.4% for DFAU. Worst drawdown: DFAU -23.6% vs DFUS -24.6%.
Should I hold both DFAU and DFUS?
DFAU and DFUS 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.
What is the holdings overlap between DFAU and DFUS?
98.1% of DFUS's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 98.1% of DFUS's is in holdings DFAU also owns. They hold 2,100 positions in common, counted across the 2,205 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 2,226 in DFUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or DFUS?
DFAU yields 0.90% while DFUS yields 0.87%, so DFAU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFUS better than DFAU?
DFUS has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, DFUS over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.