AVDE vs DFAI
Avantis International Equity ETF vs Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
Which is better, AVDE or DFAI?
Nearly the same fund. DFAI costs less.
DFAI has a lower expense ratio. AVDE led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, DFAI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | AVDE | DFAI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $19.4B | $18.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.81% | 2.44% |
| Holdings | 6,719 | 7,390 |
| YTD Return | +10.11% | +10.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.02% | +15.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72%Best | +20.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.77%Best | +9.71% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.7% | -27.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,937Best | $15,894 |
| Fund Family | Avantis Investors | Dimensional |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2019 | Nov 17, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Nov 11, 2026 (6 years).
AVDE vs DFAI 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 6 years both funds cover.
AVDE vs DFAI Performance
Avantis International Equity ETF (AVDE) is an ETF from Avantis Investors and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) is an ETF from Dimensional. Over the past year AVDE returned +15.02% while DFAI returned +15.17%. Year to date, AVDE is up 10.11% versus a gain of 10.57% for DFAI.
Over three years, AVDE compounded at +20.72% per year against +20.01% for DFAI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.77% and +9.71% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, AVDE has the edge at +11.75% annualized vs +11.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AVDE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.3% for DFAI. 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 -28.7% for AVDE and -27.4% for DFAI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AVDE charges 0.23% per year while DFAI charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $18 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AVDE currently yields 2.81% against 2.44% for DFAI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 85.6% of AVDE's money is in holdings DFAI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFAI, our book for it covers 94.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of AVDE is already inside DFAI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
2,519 positions in common, counted across the 3,299 positions we hold weights for in AVDE and 3,615 in DFAI, against full books of 6,719 and 7,390.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AVDE | Weight in DFAI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASL:ASAsml Holding Nv Unsponsored Adr Ordinary Shares | 1.29% | 1.90% | 0.61% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.99% | 1.10% | 0.11% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.65% | 0.83% | 0.18% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank of Canada | 0.44% | 0.92% | 0.48% |
| ALVG:SGAllianz Se | 0.55% | 0.60% | 0.05% |
| AZN:LNAstraZeneca PLC | 0.38% | 0.75% | 0.37% |
| NVS:SMNovartis Ag Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.47% | 0.65% | 0.18% |
| TTE:PATotal Fina Elf Holdings Usa, Inc. | 0.43% | 0.67% | 0.24% |
| 6857:JPAdvantest Corp | 0.42% | 0.68% | 0.26% |
| SHELShell Plc | 1.00% | 0.02% | 0.98% |
85.6% of AVDE is already inside DFAI.
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, AVDE or DFAI?
AVDE has an expense ratio of 0.23% while DFAI charges 0.18%. DFAI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AVDE or DFAI?
Over the past year AVDE returned +15.02% vs +15.17% for DFAI, so DFAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), AVDE annualized +11.75% vs +11.70% for DFAI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AVDE or DFAI?
AVDE has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.3% for DFAI. Worst drawdown: AVDE -28.7% vs DFAI -27.4%.
Should I hold both AVDE and DFAI?
AVDE and DFAI have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 AVDE and DFAI?
At least 85.6% of AVDE's money is in holdings DFAI also owns. Our book for DFAI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2,519 positions in common, counted across the 3,299 positions we hold weights for in AVDE and 3,615 in DFAI.
Which pays a higher dividend, AVDE or DFAI?
AVDE yields 2.81% while DFAI yields 2.44%, so AVDE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DFAI better than AVDE?
DFAI has a lower expense ratio. AVDE led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, DFAI over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.