DFSD vs VXUS
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFSD or VXUS?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | DFSD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $7.3B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.46% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,592 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +0.24% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.41% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.89% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.7%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.4%Best | -28.5% |
| $10,000 over 4.8 years | $11,153 | $15,250Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
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).
DFSD 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 4.8 years both funds cover.
DFSD vs VXUS Performance
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (DFSD) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFSD returned +1.41% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, DFSD is up 0.24% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, DFSD compounded at +4.89% per year against +19.58% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 2.7% for DFSD. 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 -8.4% for DFSD and -28.5% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSD charges 0.16% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $5 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSD currently yields 4.46% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,146 holdings in DFSD and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 72.3% 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 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,146 positions we hold weights for in DFSD and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,592 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFSD | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOGG3:BVSouthern Company (the) 3.7 Apr 30, 2030 | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSD 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, DFSD or VXUS?
DFSD has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSD or VXUS?
Over the past year DFSD returned +1.41% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSD or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 2.7% for DFSD. Worst drawdown: DFSD -8.4% vs VXUS -28.5%.
Should I hold both DFSD and VXUS?
DFSD and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, DFSD or VXUS?
DFSD yields 4.46% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so DFSD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFSD?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.