DFNL vs RFDA
Davis Select Financial ETF vs ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF
Which is better, DFNL or RFDA?
Each has led over a different period.
RFDA has a lower expense ratio. DFNL led over 3Y, RFDA over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%.
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 | DFNL | RFDA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.63% | 0.52%Best |
| AUM | $442M | $77M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 2.00% |
| Holdings | 90 | 77 |
| YTD Return | -0.91% | +14.73%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.37% | +16.68%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.68%Best | +20.07% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.68% | +12.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -34.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,609 | $18,319Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.8% | 30.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Davis ETFs | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2017 | Jun 6, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.8 years).
DFNL vs RFDA 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
DFNL vs RFDA Performance
Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL) is an ETF from Davis ETFs and ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year DFNL returned +8.37% while RFDA returned +16.68%. Year to date, DFNL is down 0.91% versus a gain of 14.73% for RFDA.
Over three years, DFNL compounded at +22.68% per year against +20.07% for RFDA; over five years the annualized figures are +10.68% and +12.87% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, RFDA has the edge at +11.93% annualized vs +11.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFNL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 15.3% for RFDA. 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 -44.5% for DFNL and -34.8% for RFDA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFNL charges 0.63% per year while RFDA charges 0.52%. On a $10,000 position that is $63 vs $52 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFNL currently yields 1.37% against 2.00% for RFDA.
Holdings Overlap
20.3% of DFNL's money is in holdings RFDA also owns. 6.9% of RFDA's money is in holdings DFNL also owns.
DFNL and RFDA share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DFNL and 75 in RFDA, against full books of 90 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 68 positions for RFDA that do not appear in our book for DFNL (89.6% of the fund), and 19 for DFNL that do not appear in RFDA (63.3%).
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.
20.3% of DFNL is already inside RFDA.
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, DFNL or RFDA?
DFNL has an expense ratio of 0.63% while RFDA charges 0.52%. RFDA is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFNL or RFDA?
Over the past year DFNL returned +8.37% vs +16.68% for RFDA, so RFDA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), DFNL annualized +11.26% vs +11.93% for RFDA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFNL or RFDA?
DFNL has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 15.3% for RFDA. Worst drawdown: DFNL -44.5% vs RFDA -34.8%.
Should I hold both DFNL and RFDA?
DFNL and RFDA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 DFNL and RFDA?
20.3% of DFNL's money is in holdings RFDA also owns. 6.9% of RFDA's is in holdings DFNL also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DFNL and 75 in RFDA.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFNL or RFDA?
DFNL yields 1.37% while RFDA yields 2.00%, so RFDA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDA better than DFNL?
RFDA has a lower expense ratio. DFNL led over 3Y, RFDA over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. RFDA is less concentrated, with 30.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.