DFAC vs TILT
Dimensional US Core Equity 2 ETF vs Northern Trust Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt ETF
Which is better, DFAC or TILT?
Nearly the same fund. DFAC costs less.
DFAC has a lower expense ratio. DFAC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. TILT is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.8%.
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 | TILT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $48.6B | $2.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 2,554 | 1,929 |
| YTD Return | +14.79%Best | +13.04% |
| 1Y Return | +19.93%Best | +17.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.05%Best | +20.90% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.31%Best | +11.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1%Best | -24.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,869Best | $17,404 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.8% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Northern Trust Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 4, 2007 | Sep 16, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Oct 13, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAC vs TILT 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 TILT Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) is an ETF from Dimensional and Northern Trust Morningstar US Market Factor Tilt ETF (TILT) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management. Over the past year DFAC returned +19.93% while TILT returned +17.33%. Year to date, DFAC is up 14.79% versus a gain of 13.04% for TILT.
Over three years, DFAC compounded at +21.05% per year against +20.90% for TILT; over five years the annualized figures are +12.31% and +11.72% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TILT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.6% for DFAC. 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 -24.1% for TILT. 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
DFAC charges 0.17% per year while TILT charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $25 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAC currently yields 0.89% against 1.05% for TILT.
Holdings Overlap
96.8% of DFAC's money is in holdings TILT also owns. 93.4% of TILT's money is in holdings DFAC also owns.
Most of DFAC is already inside TILT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,616 positions in common, counted across the 2,510 positions we hold weights for in DFAC and 1,894 in TILT, against full books of 2,554 and 1,929.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 166 positions for TILT that do not appear in our book for DFAC (3.8% of the fund), and 66 for DFAC that do not appear in TILT (1.1%).
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 TILT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.53% | 4.98% | 0.55% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.42% | 4.91% | 0.51% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.63% | 3.77% | 0.86% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.95% | 2.50% | 0.45% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.98% | 1.82% | 0.16% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.57% | 2.05% | 0.48% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.32% | 1.61% | 0.29% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.00% | 1.63% | 0.63% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.27% | 1.30% | 0.03% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.08% | 1.18% | 0.10% |
96.8% of DFAC is already inside TILT.
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 TILT?
DFAC has an expense ratio of 0.17% while TILT charges 0.25%. DFAC is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAC or TILT?
Over the past year DFAC returned +19.93% vs +17.33% for TILT, 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 TILT?
TILT has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.6% for DFAC. Worst drawdown: DFAC -23.1% vs TILT -24.1%.
Should I hold both DFAC and TILT?
DFAC and TILT 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 DFAC and TILT?
96.8% of DFAC's money is in holdings TILT also owns. 93.4% of TILT's is in holdings DFAC also owns. They hold 1,616 positions in common, counted across the 2,510 positions we hold weights for in DFAC and 1,894 in TILT.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAC or TILT?
DFAC yields 0.89% while TILT yields 1.05%, so TILT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TILT better than DFAC?
DFAC has a lower expense ratio. DFAC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. TILT is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.