DFIS vs VTI
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFIS or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFIS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. DFIS is less concentrated, with 3.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | DFIS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $5.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.90% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 3,500 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.83% | +14.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.74%Best | +16.88% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72% | +22.75%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -27.2% | -22.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $16,130 | $17,835Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 23, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 24, 2022 to Sep 21, 2026 (4.5 years).
DFIS vs VTI 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
DFIS vs VTI Performance
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF (DFIS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFIS returned +17.74% while VTI returned +16.88%. Year to date, DFIS is up 11.83% versus a gain of 14.00% for VTI.
Over three years, DFIS compounded at +20.72% per year against +22.75% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFIS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 16.0% for VTI. 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 -27.2% for DFIS and -22.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFIS charges 0.39% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $3 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFIS currently yields 1.90% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of DFIS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings DFIS also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
12 positions in common, counted across the 3,428 positions we hold weights for in DFIS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 3,500 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DFIS (97.4% of the fund), and 23 for DFIS that do not appear in VTI (1.4%).
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 DFIS | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDECoeur Mining Inc | 0.13% | 0.02% | 0.11% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| IPInternational Paper Co. | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| KEELKeel Infrastructure Corp. | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| BCGBinah Capital Group, Inc. | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| INDV:MBIndivior Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ordinary Shares | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| RAILFreightcar America Inc | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| IAU:CAI-80 Gold Corp | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| VMD:CAViemed Healthcare Inc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| DCHDauch Corporation | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFIS and VTI 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, DFIS or VTI?
DFIS has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFIS or VTI?
Over the past year DFIS returned +17.74% vs +16.88% for VTI, so DFIS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFIS or VTI?
DFIS has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DFIS -27.2% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both DFIS and VTI?
DFIS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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, DFIS or VTI?
DFIS yields 1.90% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DFIS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFIS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFIS led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. DFIS is less concentrated, with 3.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.