DFAS vs SEIS
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF vs SEI Select Small Cap ETF
Which is better, DFAS or SEIS?
Nearly the same fund. DFAS costs less.
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. DFAS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 10.9%.
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 | DFAS | SEIS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26%Best | 0.55% |
| AUM | $33.7B | $607M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.32% |
| Holdings | 3,996 | 740 |
| YTD Return | +15.49%Best | +14.18% |
| 1Y Return | +19.24%Best | +17.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.75% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.45% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1%Tie | -26.1%Tie |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $12,916Best | $12,804 |
| Top 10 Weight | 2.7%Best | 10.9% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | SEI EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 15, 1998 | Oct 8, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2024 to Nov 11, 2026 (2.1 years).
DFAS vs SEIS 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
DFAS vs SEIS Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional and SEI Select Small Cap ETF (SEIS) is an ETF from SEI EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS. Over the past year DFAS returned +19.24% while SEIS returned +17.71%. Year to date, DFAS is up 15.49% versus a gain of 14.18% for SEIS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SEIS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 16.1% for DFAS. 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 -26.1% for DFAS and -26.1% for SEIS. 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
DFAS charges 0.26% per year while SEIS charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $55 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAS currently yields 1.01% against 0.32% for SEIS.
Holdings Overlap
23.1% of DFAS's money is in holdings SEIS also owns. 88.2% of SEIS's money is in holdings DFAS also owns.
Most of SEIS is already inside DFAS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
318 positions in common, counted across the 2,093 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 369 in SEIS, against full books of 3,996 and 740.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 40 positions for SEIS that do not appear in our book for DFAS (8.8% of the fund), and 1,235 for DFAS that do not appear in SEIS (75.2%).
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 DFAS | Weight in SEIS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANFAbercrombie & Fitch Co. Class A | 0.16% | 1.37% | 1.21% |
| URBNUrban Outfitters Inc | 0.23% | 1.19% | 0.96% |
| CNOCno Financial Group Inc | 0.11% | 1.30% | 1.19% |
| WTSWatts Water Technologies Inc | 0.21% | 1.06% | 0.85% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.20% | 1.03% | 0.83% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 0.14% | 1.03% | 0.89% |
| ENVAEnova International Inc. (usd) | 0.10% | 1.03% | 0.93% |
| EXLSExlservice Holdings, Inc. (A) | 0.14% | 0.98% | 0.84% |
| CMCCommercial Metals Co | 0.17% | 0.93% | 0.76% |
| ZWSZurn Water Solutions Corporation | 0.13% | 0.94% | 0.81% |
88.2% of SEIS is already inside DFAS.
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, DFAS or SEIS?
DFAS has an expense ratio of 0.26% while SEIS charges 0.55%. DFAS is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAS or SEIS?
Over the past year DFAS returned +19.24% vs +17.71% for SEIS, so DFAS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DFAS annualized +12.96% vs +12.49% for SEIS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAS or SEIS?
SEIS has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 16.1% for DFAS. Worst drawdown: DFAS -26.1% vs SEIS -26.1%.
Should I hold both DFAS and SEIS?
DFAS and SEIS 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 DFAS and SEIS?
88.2% of SEIS's money is in holdings DFAS also owns. 88.2% of SEIS's is in holdings DFAS also owns. They hold 318 positions in common, counted across the 2,093 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 369 in SEIS.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAS or SEIS?
DFAS yields 1.01% while SEIS yields 0.32%, so DFAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEIS better than DFAS?
DFAS has a lower expense ratio. DFAS led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 10.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.