DFNL vs VTI
Davis Select Financial ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFNL or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFNL led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y 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 | DFNL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $486M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.29% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 31 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.95% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.07% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.97%Best | +20.87% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.13%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,531Best | $17,514 |
| Fund Family | Davis ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9.7 years).
DFNL 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 9.7 years both funds cover.
DFNL vs VTI Performance
Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL) is an ETF from Davis ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFNL returned +13.07% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, DFNL is up 5.95% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, DFNL compounded at +23.97% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.13% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.76% annualized vs +12.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFNL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% 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 -44.5% for DFNL and -35.0% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFNL charges 0.61% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $61 vs $3 annually, a gap of $58 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFNL currently yields 1.29% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 76.7% of DFNL's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of DFNL is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in DFNL and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 31 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFNL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 11.08% | 0.17% | 10.91% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 6.39% | 0.13% | 6.26% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway B | 5.26% | 1.24% | 4.02% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 6.04% | 0.07% | 5.97% |
| MKLMarkel Corp. | 5.72% | 0.17% | 5.55% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 4.40% | 1.11% | 3.29% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 4.83% | 0.35% | 4.48% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 4.66% | 0.14% | 4.52% |
| CBChubb Ltd. | 4.37% | 0.16% | 4.21% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 3.43% | 0.25% | 3.18% |
76.7% of DFNL is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFNL or VTI?
DFNL has an expense ratio of 0.61% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFNL or VTI?
Over the past year DFNL returned +13.07% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), DFNL annualized +12.14% vs +13.76% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFNL or VTI?
DFNL has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DFNL -44.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both DFNL and VTI?
DFNL and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFNL and VTI?
At least 76.7% of DFNL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in DFNL and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFNL or VTI?
DFNL yields 1.29% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DFNL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFNL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFNL led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.