DFAU vs FLQL
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs Franklin US Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF
Which is better, DFAU or FLQL?
Nearly the same fund. DFAU costs less.
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, FLQL over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.2%.
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 | FLQL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12%Best | 0.15% |
| AUM | $13.1B | $2.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 219 |
| YTD Return | +13.34%Best | +12.74% |
| 1Y Return | +17.35%Best | +16.39% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.60% | +22.41%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.53% | +14.06%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -21.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,044 | $19,305Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.0%Best | 37.2% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Apr 26, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.9 years).
DFAU vs FLQL 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.
DFAU vs FLQL Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Franklin US Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF (FLQL) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year DFAU returned +17.35% while FLQL returned +16.39%. Year to date, DFAU is up 13.34% versus a gain of 12.74% for FLQL.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +21.60% per year against +22.41% for FLQL; over five years the annualized figures are +12.53% and +14.06% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, FLQL has the edge at +15.38% annualized vs +15.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.5% for FLQL. 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 -21.4% for FLQL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. 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 FLQL charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $15 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAU currently yields 0.90% against 1.06% for FLQL.
Holdings Overlap
55.8% of DFAU's money is in holdings FLQL also owns. 96.9% of FLQL's money is in holdings DFAU also owns.
Most of FLQL is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
192 positions in common, counted across the 2,205 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 217 in FLQL, against full books of 2,124 and 219.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 22 positions for FLQL that do not appear in our book for DFAU (2.5% of the fund), and 975 for DFAU that do not appear in FLQL (41.6%).
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 FLQL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.81% | 7.72% | 0.91% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.99% | 7.46% | 0.47% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.31% | 5.26% | 0.05% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.34% | 3.23% | 0.11% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.56% | 3.30% | 0.74% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.11% | 2.65% | 0.54% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.15% | 2.14% | 0.01% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.87% | 2.06% | 0.19% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.61% | 1.44% | 0.17% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.18% | 1.30% | 0.12% |
96.9% of FLQL 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 FLQL?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while FLQL charges 0.15%. DFAU is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or FLQL?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.35% vs +16.39% for FLQL, so DFAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAU annualized +15.04% vs +15.38% for FLQL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAU or FLQL?
DFAU has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.5% for FLQL. Worst drawdown: DFAU -23.6% vs FLQL -21.4%.
Should I hold both DFAU and FLQL?
DFAU and FLQL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 FLQL?
96.9% of FLQL's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 96.9% of FLQL's is in holdings DFAU also owns. They hold 192 positions in common, counted across the 2,205 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 217 in FLQL.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or FLQL?
DFAU yields 0.90% while FLQL yields 1.06%, so FLQL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FLQL better than DFAU?
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, FLQL over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. DFAU is less concentrated, with 34.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.