DFAE vs VXUS
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFAE or VXUS?
DFAE has been ahead.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFAE led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | DFAE | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $10.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.84% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 6,482 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +22.16%Best | +14.83% |
| 1Y Return | +34.69%Best | +24.27% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.74%Best | +19.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.86%Best | +9.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2% | -29.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,003Best | $15,436 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2020 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 2, 2020 to Sep 9, 2026 (5.8 years).
DFAE vs VXUS 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
DFAE vs VXUS Performance
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAE returned +34.69% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, DFAE is up 22.16% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, DFAE compounded at +22.74% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +9.86% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, DFAE has the edge at +10.59% annualized vs +10.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.3% for VXUS. 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 -32.2% for DFAE and -29.4% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAE charges 0.29% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $5 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAE currently yields 1.84% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 6,067 holdings in DFAE and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 93.1% and 87.7% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 3,117 positions appear in both.
3,117 positions in common, counted across the 6,067 positions we hold weights for in DFAE and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 6,482 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAE | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 4.33% | 2.17% | 2.16% |
| 2330:AEAdvanced Petrochemicals Co | 0.00% | 4.25% | 4.25% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 1.29% | 0.49% | 0.80% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc. | 1.07% | 0.44% | 0.63% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.80% | 0.22% | 0.58% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.62% | 0.27% | 0.35% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 0.39% | 0.20% | 0.19% |
| 601398:SHIndustrial & Commercial Bank Of China Ltd | 0.44% | 0.15% | 0.29% |
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd | 0.39% | 0.18% | 0.21% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 0.40% | 0.13% | 0.27% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAE and VXUS 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, DFAE or VXUS?
DFAE has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAE or VXUS?
Over the past year DFAE returned +34.69% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so DFAE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAE annualized +10.59% vs +10.28% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAE or VXUS?
DFAE has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.3% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DFAE -32.2% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both DFAE and VXUS?
DFAE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, DFAE or VXUS?
DFAE yields 1.84% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFAE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFAE led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.