DFCF vs VYM
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFCF or VYM?
Long Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.3%.
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 | DFCF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $11.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.38% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,754 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.08% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.42% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.66% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.8%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.8 years | $9,904 | $16,603Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Sep 17, 2026 (4.8 years).
DFCF 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 4.8 years both funds cover.
DFCF vs VYM Performance
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFCF returned -0.42% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, DFCF is down 1.08% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, DFCF compounded at +4.66% per year against +17.42% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 6.8% for DFCF. 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 -19.6% for DFCF 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 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFCF charges 0.17% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $4 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFCF currently yields 4.38% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings DFCF also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,577 positions we hold weights for in DFCF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,754 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 513 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFCF (97.0% of the fund), and 1,130 for DFCF that do not appear in VYM (97.5%).
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 DFCF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYBLyondellbasell-a | 0.02% | 0.06% | 0.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFCF and VYM 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, DFCF or VYM?
DFCF has an expense ratio of 0.17% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFCF or VYM?
Over the past year DFCF returned -0.42% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFCF or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 6.8% for DFCF. Worst drawdown: DFCF -19.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both DFCF and VYM?
DFCF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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, DFCF or VYM?
DFCF yields 4.38% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DFCF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFCF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.