DFEV vs VXUS
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFEV or VXUS?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFEV 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 | DFEV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 3,595 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +25.45%Best | +12.82% |
| 1Y Return | +35.79%Best | +19.86% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.27%Best | +19.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.46% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.5%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $19,603Best | $17,702 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2022 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.4 years).
DFEV 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
DFEV vs VXUS Performance
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFEV returned +35.79% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, DFEV is up 25.45% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, DFEV compounded at +24.27% per year against +19.33% for VXUS. Across the full 4-year window we track, DFEV has the edge at +16.53% annualized vs +13.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 15.2% 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 -18.5% for DFEV and -19.3% 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFEV charges 0.43% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $5 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFEV currently yields 2.01% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3,508 holdings in DFEV and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 95.0% 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, 1,786 positions appear in both.
1,786 positions in common, counted across the 3,508 positions we hold weights for in DFEV and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 3,595 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFEV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 5.33% | 1.41% | 3.92% |
| 2330:SAAdvanced Petrochemical Co | 0.00% | 4.02% | 4.02% |
| RELIANCE:MBReliance Industries Ltd | 1.67% | 0.21% | 1.46% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co | 1.65% | 0.21% | 1.44% |
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 1.20% | 0.35% | 0.85% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd Class H | 0.87% | 0.11% | 0.76% |
| 2318:HKPing An Insurance (group) Co. Of China Ltd Class H | 0.73% | 0.11% | 0.62% |
| PKN:PLPolski Koncern Naftowy Orlen Sa | 0.78% | 0.05% | 0.73% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 0.69% | 0.13% | 0.56% |
| 3037:TWUnimicron Technology Corp | 0.73% | 0.07% | 0.66% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFEV 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, DFEV or VXUS?
DFEV has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFEV or VXUS?
Over the past year DFEV returned +35.79% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so DFEV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFEV annualized +16.53% vs +13.86% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFEV or VXUS?
DFEV has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DFEV -18.5% vs VXUS -19.3%.
Should I hold both DFEV and VXUS?
DFEV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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, DFEV or VXUS?
DFEV yields 2.01% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFEV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFEV 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.