DFAU vs VYM
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFAU or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.1%.
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 | DFAU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $12.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 2,124 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.90% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.65%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.60%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.47%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,996Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 17, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2020 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.8 years).
DFAU 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
DFAU vs VYM Performance
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAU returned +17.65% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, DFAU is up 12.90% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, DFAU compounded at +20.60% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.47% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, DFAU has the edge at +15.22% annualized vs +14.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 13.2% 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 -23.6% for DFAU 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAU charges 0.12% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $4 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAU currently yields 0.91% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
35.0% of DFAU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 95.2% of VYM's money is in holdings DFAU also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside DFAU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
546 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 603 in VYM, against full books of 2,124 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 34 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFAU (2.6% of the fund), and 673 for DFAU that do not appear in VYM (63.3%).
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 DFAU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.45% | 7.29% | 4.84% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.27% | 3.38% | 2.11% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 0.71% | 2.54% | 1.83% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.83% | 2.36% | 1.53% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.47% | 2.01% | 1.54% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.54% | 1.93% | 1.39% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.51% | 1.85% | 1.34% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.50% | 1.56% | 1.06% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.40% | 1.56% | 1.16% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.48% | 1.46% | 0.98% |
95.2% of VYM is already inside DFAU.
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, DFAU or VYM?
DFAU has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAU or VYM?
Over the past year DFAU returned +17.65% vs +17.57% for VYM, so DFAU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DFAU annualized +15.22% vs +14.28% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAU or VYM?
DFAU has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 13.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFAU -23.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both DFAU and VYM?
DFAU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 DFAU and VYM?
95.2% of VYM's money is in holdings DFAU also owns. 95.2% of VYM's is in holdings DFAU also owns. They hold 546 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in DFAU and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAU or VYM?
DFAU yields 0.91% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFAU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFAU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.