DFCA vs VXUS
Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFCA or VXUS?
Municipal California against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | DFCA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $721M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.76% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 498 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -1.36% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.14% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.13% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.3%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.3%Best | -13.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $10,578 | $16,965Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 27, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (3.2 years).
DFCA 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 3.2 years both funds cover.
DFCA vs VXUS Performance
Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFCA returned -0.14% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, DFCA is down 1.36% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, DFCA compounded at +2.13% per year against +19.58% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 3.3% for DFCA. 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 -3.3% for DFCA and -13.6% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFCA charges 0.19% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $5 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFCA currently yields 2.76% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 86 holdings in DFCA and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 20.0% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 86 positions we hold weights for in DFCA and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 498 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFCA 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, DFCA or VXUS?
DFCA has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFCA or VXUS?
Over the past year DFCA returned -0.14% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFCA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 3.3% for DFCA. Worst drawdown: DFCA -3.3% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both DFCA and VXUS?
DFCA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, DFCA or VXUS?
DFCA yields 2.76% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so DFCA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFCA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.