DFAX vs QQQ
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DFAX or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 1Y, QQQ 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 | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $12.6B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 10,538 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +16.01% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.14%Best | +22.98% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.26% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.17% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 20.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,230 | $19,586Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 6, 2008 | Mar 10, 1999 |
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 11, 2026 (5 years).
DFAX vs QQQ 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 QQQ Performance
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) is an ETF from Dimensional and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DFAX returned +24.14% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, DFAX is up 16.01% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, DFAX compounded at +21.26% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.17% and +14.39% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% 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 -35.1% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAX charges 0.28% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $18 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAX currently yields 2.24% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings DFAX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFAX, our book for it covers 87.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and DFAX share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 127 days apart, DFAX as of Mar 31, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 10,129 positions we hold weights for in DFAX and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 10,538 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAX and QQQ 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 QQQ?
DFAX has an expense ratio of 0.28% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAX or QQQ?
Over the past year DFAX returned +24.14% vs +22.98% for QQQ, 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 QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 15.2% for DFAX. Worst drawdown: DFAX -28.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both DFAX and QQQ?
DFAX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 DFAX and QQQ?
At least 2.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings DFAX also owns. Our book for DFAX is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 10,129 positions we hold weights for in DFAX and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAX or QQQ?
DFAX yields 2.24% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DFAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DFAX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 1Y, QQQ 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.