DFAT vs VOO
Dimensional US Targeted Value ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DFAT or VOO?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. DFAT led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFAT is less concentrated, with 6.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | DFAT | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14.4B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 1,234 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +15.27%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +18.81%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.42% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.37% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,133 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.9%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 11, 1998 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 21, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFAT vs VOO 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.
DFAT vs VOO Performance
Dimensional US Targeted Value ETF (DFAT) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAT returned +18.81% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, DFAT is up 15.27% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, DFAT compounded at +16.42% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.37% and +13.85% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 15.5% for VOO. 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 DFAT and -24.5% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAT charges 0.28% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $3 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAT currently yields 1.35% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
10.8% of DFAT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.8% of VOO's money is in holdings DFAT also owns.
DFAT and VOO share little of their money.
41 positions in common, counted across the 1,191 positions we hold weights for in DFAT and 494 in VOO, against full books of 1,234 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 447 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for DFAT (98.4% of the fund), and 873 for DFAT that do not appear in VOO (85.0%).
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 DFAT | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APAApa Corp | 0.73% | 0.02% | 0.71% |
| BALLBall Corp | 0.67% | 0.03% | 0.64% |
| SJMJ M Smucker Co/The | 0.67% | 0.02% | 0.65% |
| IVZInvesco Plc | 0.58% | 0.02% | 0.56% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| GLGlobe Life Inc. | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| RVTYRevvity Inc | 0.40% | 0.02% | 0.38% |
| UHSUniversal Health Services Inc. | 0.41% | 0.01% | 0.40% |
| AKAMAkamai Technologies Inc. | 0.37% | 0.03% | 0.34% |
| SWKStanley Black Decker Inc. | 0.38% | 0.02% | 0.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAT and VOO 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, DFAT or VOO?
DFAT has an expense ratio of 0.28% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAT or VOO?
Over the past year DFAT returned +18.81% vs +17.31% for VOO, so DFAT leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAT or VOO?
DFAT has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 15.5% for VOO. Worst drawdown: DFAT -26.1% vs VOO -24.5%.
Should I hold both DFAT and VOO?
DFAT and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 DFAT and VOO?
10.8% of DFAT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.8% of VOO's is in holdings DFAT also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 1,191 positions we hold weights for in DFAT and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAT or VOO?
DFAT yields 1.35% while VOO yields 1.04%, so DFAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than DFAT?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. DFAT led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFAT is less concentrated, with 6.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.