DFAC vs IVV
Dimensional US Core Equity 2 ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DFAC or IVV?
Nearly the same fund. IVV costs less.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. DFAC led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. DFAC is less concentrated, with 26.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | DFAC | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $48.8B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 2,554 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +14.44%Best | +14.15% |
| 1Y Return | +18.01%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.09% | +23.17%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.57% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,076 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.5%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 4, 2007 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 21, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAC 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
DFAC vs IVV Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) 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 DFAC returned +18.01% while IVV returned +17.31%. Year to date, DFAC is up 14.44% versus a gain of 14.15% for IVV.
Over three years, DFAC compounded at +21.09% per year against +23.17% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.57% and +13.85% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.5% 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 -23.1% for DFAC and -24.5% 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAC charges 0.17% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $3 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAC currently yields 0.89% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
74.7% of DFAC's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 96.7% of IVV's money is in holdings DFAC also owns.
Most of IVV is already inside DFAC. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
451 positions in common, counted across the 2,504 positions we hold weights for in DFAC and 490 in IVV, against full books of 2,554 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 33 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for DFAC (2.0% of the fund), and 1,023 for DFAC that do not appear in IVV (22.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAC | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.68% | 8.07% | 2.39% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.15% | 7.02% | 1.87% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.73% | 5.69% | 0.96% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.96% | 3.84% | 0.88% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.57% | 3.00% | 1.43% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.33% | 2.65% | 1.32% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.74% | 1.90% | 0.16% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 0.99% | 2.39% | 1.40% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.25% | 1.63% | 0.38% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.08% | 1.44% | 0.36% |
96.7% of IVV is already inside DFAC.
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, DFAC or IVV?
DFAC has an expense ratio of 0.17% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAC or IVV?
Over the past year DFAC returned +18.01% vs +17.31% for IVV, so DFAC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAC or IVV?
DFAC has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.5% for IVV. Worst drawdown: DFAC -23.1% vs IVV -24.5%.
Should I hold both DFAC and IVV?
DFAC and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 DFAC and IVV?
96.7% of IVV's money is in holdings DFAC also owns. 96.7% of IVV's is in holdings DFAC also owns. They hold 451 positions in common, counted across the 2,504 positions we hold weights for in DFAC and 490 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAC or IVV?
DFAC yields 0.89% while IVV yields 1.06%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than DFAC?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. DFAC led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. DFAC is less concentrated, with 26.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.