DFAU vs SDVD
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF
Which is better, DFAU or SDVD?
DFAU has been ahead.
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SDVD is less concentrated, with 10.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.0%.
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 | SDVD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $13.1B | $872M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.90% | 8.68% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 348 |
| YTD Return | +13.34%Best | +3.20% |
| 1Y Return | +17.35%Best | +6.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.60%Best | +13.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.53% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8%Best | 22.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.4%Best | -29.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $17,594Best | $11,057 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.0% | 10.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Aug 9, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 10, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.2 years).
DFAU vs SDVD 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 3.2 years both funds cover.
DFAU vs SDVD Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and FT Vest SMID Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (SDVD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year DFAU returned +17.35% while SDVD returned +6.25%. Year to date, DFAU is up 13.34% versus a gain of 3.20% for SDVD.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +21.60% per year against +13.58% for SDVD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDVD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.2% compared with 12.8% 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 -19.4% for DFAU and -29.1% for SDVD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAU charges 0.12% per year while SDVD charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $85 annually, a gap of $73 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAU currently yields 0.90% against 8.68% for SDVD.
Holdings Overlap
3.8% of DFAU's money is in holdings SDVD also owns. 98.6% of SDVD's money is in holdings DFAU also owns.
Most of SDVD is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
170 positions in common, counted across the 2,205 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 172 in SDVD, against full books of 2,124 and 348.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for SDVD that do not appear in our book for DFAU (0.0% of the fund), and 1,011 for DFAU that do not appear in SDVD (93.6%).
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 SDVD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHCNational Healthcare Corporation | 0.01% | 1.16% | 1.15% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.03% | 1.03% | 1.00% |
| AITApplied Industrial Technologies Inc | 0.02% | 1.03% | 1.01% |
| NTAPNetapp Inc | 0.08% | 0.97% | 0.89% |
| FBPFirst Bancorp/puerto Rico | 0.01% | 1.03% | 1.02% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.04% | 1.00% | 0.96% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.01% | 1.02% | 1.01% |
| OFG:PROfg Bancorp Common Stock | 0.01% | 1.02% | 1.01% |
| WTSWatts Water Technologies Inc | 0.02% | 1.00% | 0.98% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 0.06% | 0.95% | 0.89% |
98.6% of SDVD 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 SDVD?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while SDVD charges 0.85%. DFAU is the cheaper option, by $73 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or SDVD?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.35% vs +6.25% for SDVD, 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 SDVD?
SDVD has been the more volatile fund at 22.2% annualized versus 12.8% for DFAU. Worst drawdown: DFAU -19.4% vs SDVD -29.1%.
Should I hold both DFAU and SDVD?
DFAU and SDVD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 DFAU and SDVD?
98.6% of SDVD's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 98.6% of SDVD's is in holdings DFAU also owns. They hold 170 positions in common, counted across the 2,205 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 172 in SDVD.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or SDVD?
DFAU yields 0.90% while SDVD yields 8.68%, so SDVD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDVD better than DFAU?
DFAU has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SDVD is less concentrated, with 10.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.