DFSI vs IVV
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DFSI or IVV?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. DFSI is less concentrated, with 9.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%.
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 | DFSI | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $896.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.29% | 1.10% |
| Holdings | 2,831 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +5.49% | +13.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.40% | +17.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.99% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.8%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $19,508 | $21,496Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.9%Best | 38.9% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 12, 2008 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.9 years).
DFSI vs IVV 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
DFSI vs IVV Performance
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSI) is an ETF from Dimensional and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year DFSI returned +11.40% while IVV returned +17.54%. Year to date, DFSI is up 5.49% versus a gain of 13.59% for IVV.
Over three years, DFSI compounded at +18.99% per year against +22.46% for IVV. Across the full 4-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +21.68% annualized vs +18.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 12.8% for IVV. 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 -12.8% for DFSI and -18.8% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSI charges 0.24% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $3 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSI currently yields 2.29% against 1.10% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of DFSI's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 0.3% of IVV's money is in holdings DFSI also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 2,744 positions we hold weights for in DFSI and 506 in IVV, against full books of 2,831 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 498 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for DFSI (99.1% of the fund), and 31 for DFSI that do not appear in IVV (1.8%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSI and IVV 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, DFSI or IVV?
DFSI has an expense ratio of 0.24% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSI or IVV?
Over the past year DFSI returned +11.40% vs +17.54% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSI annualized +18.69% vs +21.68% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSI or IVV?
DFSI has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 12.8% for IVV. Worst drawdown: DFSI -12.8% vs IVV -18.8%.
Should I hold both DFSI and IVV?
DFSI and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSI or IVV?
DFSI yields 2.29% while IVV yields 1.10%, so DFSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than DFSI?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. DFSI is less concentrated, with 9.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.