DFJ vs VTI
WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFJ or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFJ led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y 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 | DFJ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $445M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.43% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 794 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +21.35%Best | +14.43% |
| 1Y Return | +32.27%Best | +18.05% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.79% | +22.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.23% | +12.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.7%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,805 | $18,213Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2006 to Oct 12, 2026 (20.3 years).
DFJ 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
DFJ vs VTI Performance
WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund (DFJ) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFJ returned +32.27% while VTI returned +18.05%. Year to date, DFJ is up 21.35% versus a gain of 14.43% for VTI.
Over three years, DFJ compounded at +22.79% per year against +22.93% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.23% and +12.74% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.77% annualized vs +4.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.3% for DFJ. 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 -46.7% for DFJ and -56.6% 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFJ charges 0.58% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $3 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFJ currently yields 2.43% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in DFJ and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 0.1% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, DFJ as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in DFJ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 794 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFJ 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, DFJ or VTI?
DFJ has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFJ or VTI?
Over the past year DFJ returned +32.27% vs +18.05% for VTI, so DFJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DFJ annualized +4.95% vs +9.77% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFJ or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.3% for DFJ. Worst drawdown: DFJ -46.7% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both DFJ and VTI?
DFJ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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, DFJ or VTI?
DFJ yields 2.43% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DFJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFJ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFJ led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.