AESB vs DFAS
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF vs Dimensional US Small Cap ETF
Which is better, AESB or DFAS?
DFAS costs less.
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 23.8%.
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 | AESB | DFAS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.26%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $33.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 335 | 3,996 |
| YTD Return | -4.46% | +15.49%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +19.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.75% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.45% |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.8% | 2.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2026 | Dec 15, 1998 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
AESB vs DFAS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AESB vs DFAS Performance
Harbor AlphaEdge Small Cap Core ETF (AESB) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional. Year to date, AESB is down 4.46% versus a gain of 15.49% for DFAS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AESB charges 0.38% per year while DFAS charges 0.26%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $26 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AESB currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for DFAS.
Holdings Overlap
77.7% of AESB's money is in holdings DFAS also owns. 9.5% of DFAS's money is in holdings AESB also owns.
Most of AESB is already inside DFAS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
135 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 2,093 in DFAS, against full books of 335 and 3,996.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,406 positions for DFAS that do not appear in our book for AESB (88.5% of the fund), and 24 for AESB that do not appear in DFAS (15.5%).
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 AESB | Weight in DFAS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc. | 3.14% | 0.11% | 3.03% |
| CATYCathay Generalbancorp | 2.67% | 0.10% | 2.57% |
| SLDESlide Insurance Holdings Inc | 2.35% | 0.01% | 2.34% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 1.65% | 0.15% | 1.50% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 1.66% | 0.13% | 1.53% |
| OFG:PROfg Bancorp Common Stock | 1.61% | 0.06% | 1.55% |
| EBFEnnis Inc | 1.59% | 0.02% | 1.57% |
| HRMYHarmony Biosciences, Llc | 1.46% | 0.05% | 1.41% |
| ENVAEnova International Inc. (usd) | 1.29% | 0.10% | 1.19% |
| KFYKorn Ferry | 1.26% | 0.09% | 1.17% |
77.7% of AESB is already inside DFAS.
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, AESB or DFAS?
AESB has an expense ratio of 0.38% while DFAS charges 0.26%. DFAS is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AESB and DFAS?
77.7% of AESB's money is in holdings DFAS also owns. 9.5% of DFAS's is in holdings AESB also owns. They hold 135 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in AESB and 2,093 in DFAS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AESB or DFAS?
AESB yields 0.00% while DFAS yields 1.01%, so DFAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFAS better than AESB?
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 23.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.