DFAI vs QQQ
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DFAI or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ 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 | DFAI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Tie | 0.18%Tie |
| AUM | $18.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.25% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 3,697 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +12.49% | +17.11%Best |
| 1Y Return | +21.40% | +23.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58% | +24.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.12% | +14.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.4%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,193 | $19,449Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Sep 9, 2026 (5.8 years).
DFAI vs QQQ 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.
DFAI vs QQQ Performance
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) is an ETF from Dimensional and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DFAI returned +21.40% while QQQ returned +23.99%. Year to date, DFAI is up 12.49% versus a gain of 17.11% for QQQ.
Over three years, DFAI compounded at +19.58% per year against +24.62% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.12% and +14.23% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +17.49% annualized vs +12.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 14.4% 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 -27.4% for DFAI and -35.1% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAI charges 0.18% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $18 annually. On income, DFAI currently yields 2.25% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings DFAI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFAI, our book for it covers 92.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and DFAI share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 3,618 positions we hold weights for in DFAI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 3,697 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAI and QQQ 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, DFAI or QQQ?
DFAI has an expense ratio of 0.18% while QQQ charges 0.18%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, DFAI or QQQ?
Over the past year DFAI returned +21.40% vs +23.99% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAI annualized +12.40% vs +17.49% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 14.4% for DFAI. Worst drawdown: DFAI -27.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both DFAI and QQQ?
DFAI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFAI and QQQ?
At least 1.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings DFAI also owns. Our book for DFAI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 3,618 positions we hold weights for in DFAI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAI or QQQ?
DFAI yields 2.25% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DFAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DFAI?
QQQ 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.