DFAS vs VYM
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFAS or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $15.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.97% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 2,095 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.99%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +14.76% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.08% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.58% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,092 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 2.6%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 15, 1998 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAS vs VYM 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.
DFAS vs VYM Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap ETF (DFAS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAS returned +14.76% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, DFAS is up 12.99% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, DFAS compounded at +15.08% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.58% and +12.30% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 13.6% for VYM. 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 -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAS charges 0.26% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $4 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAS currently yields 0.97% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.5% of DFAS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings DFAS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
302 positions in common, counted across the 2,036 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 2,095 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 240 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFAS (89.8% of the fund), and 1,242 for DFAS that do not appear in VYM (66.6%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 0.26% | 0.05% | 0.21% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.25% | 0.06% | 0.19% |
| IVZInvesco PLC | 0.25% | 0.04% | 0.21% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.22% | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| FHNFirst Horizon National Corp | 0.22% | 0.05% | 0.17% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.22% | 0.05% | 0.17% |
| SFStifel Finl Corp | 0.20% | 0.05% | 0.15% |
| WTFCWintrust Financial Corp | 0.21% | 0.04% | 0.17% |
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp. | 0.21% | 0.04% | 0.17% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.17% | 0.07% | 0.10% |
30.5% of DFAS is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
DFAS has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAS or VYM?
Over the past year DFAS returned +14.76% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAS or VYM?
DFAS has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFAS -26.1% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both DFAS and VYM?
DFAS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 DFAS and VYM?
30.5% of DFAS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.3% of VYM's is in holdings DFAS also owns. They hold 302 positions in common, counted across the 2,036 positions we hold weights for in DFAS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAS or VYM?
DFAS yields 0.97% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFAS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFAS is less concentrated, with 2.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.