DFAX vs IVV
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, DFAX or IVV?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 1Y, IVV over 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 | DFAX | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $12.6B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 10,538 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +16.25%Best | +14.15% |
| 1Y Return | +23.89%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.82% | +23.17%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.04% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,881 | $19,128Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 6, 2008 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2021 to Sep 21, 2026 (5 years).
DFAX vs IVV 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 years both funds cover.
DFAX vs IVV Performance
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) is an ETF from Dimensional and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year DFAX returned +23.89% while IVV returned +17.31%. Year to date, DFAX is up 16.25% versus a gain of 14.15% for IVV.
Over three years, DFAX compounded at +21.82% per year against +23.17% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +11.04% and +13.85% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.2% for DFAX. 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 -28.1% for DFAX and -24.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAX charges 0.28% per year while IVV 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, DFAX currently yields 2.24% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of IVV's money is in holdings DFAX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFAX, our book for it covers 86.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 10,172 positions we hold weights for in DFAX and 490 in IVV, against full books of 10,538 and 508.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAX and IVV 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, DFAX or IVV?
DFAX has an expense ratio of 0.28% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAX or IVV?
Over the past year DFAX returned +23.89% vs +17.31% for IVV, so DFAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAX or IVV?
IVV has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.2% for DFAX. Worst drawdown: DFAX -28.1% vs IVV -24.5%.
Should I hold both DFAX and IVV?
DFAX and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAX or IVV?
DFAX yields 2.24% while IVV yields 1.06%, so DFAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than DFAX?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.