DFAX vs VXUS
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFAX or VXUS?
Nearly the same fund. VXUS costs less.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $12.6B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 10,538 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +16.25%Best | +14.49% |
| 1Y Return | +23.89%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.82%Best | +20.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.04%Best | +9.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1%Best | -29.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,881Best | $15,793 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 6, 2008 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFAX returned +23.89% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, DFAX is up 16.25% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, DFAX compounded at +21.82% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.04% and +9.57% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 15.1% for VXUS. 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 -29.0% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAX charges 0.28% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $5 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAX currently yields 2.24% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 10,172 holdings in DFAX and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 86.7% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 5,316 positions appear in both.
5,316 positions in common, counted across the 10,172 positions we hold weights for in DFAX and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 10,538 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFAX | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 0.80% | 1.41% | 0.61% |
| 5930:JPBunka Shutter Co Ltd | 0.00% | 1.80% | 1.80% |
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 0.02% | 1.42% | 1.40% |
| ROP:SMRoche Ps Par Ag | 0.37% | 0.69% | 0.32% |
| SHELShell Plc | 0.45% | 0.57% | 0.12% |
| RY:CARoyal Bank Of Canada | 0.33% | 0.66% | 0.33% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.38% | 0.58% | 0.20% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Securities Inc | 0.13% | 0.82% | 0.69% |
| FP:PATotal Se | 0.52% | 0.38% | 0.14% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Ltd | 0.19% | 0.62% | 0.43% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAX and VXUS 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 VXUS?
DFAX has an expense ratio of 0.28% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAX or VXUS?
Over the past year DFAX returned +23.89% vs +21.52% for VXUS, 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 VXUS?
DFAX has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DFAX -28.1% vs VXUS -29.0%.
Should I hold both DFAX and VXUS?
DFAX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAX or VXUS?
DFAX yields 2.24% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFAX?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.