DFSE vs VYM
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFSE or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFSE led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. DFSE is less concentrated, with 23.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | DFSE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.41% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $646M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.86% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,875 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.14%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +21.11%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.05%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $20,822Best | $17,247 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (3.9 years).
DFSE vs VYM 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
DFSE vs VYM Performance
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFSE returned +21.11% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, DFSE is up 15.14% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, DFSE compounded at +19.05% per year against +17.99% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, DFSE has the edge at +20.69% annualized vs +15.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.4% for VYM. 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 -19.8% for DFSE and -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSE charges 0.41% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $41 vs $4 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSE currently yields 1.86% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of DFSE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.3% of VYM's money is in holdings DFSE also owns.
VYM and DFSE share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 3,640 positions we hold weights for in DFSE and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,875 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 558 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFSE (96.4% of the fund), and 41 for DFSE that do not appear in VYM (2.1%).
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 DFSE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.01% | 0.67% | 0.66% |
| BAP:BMCredicorp Ltd | 0.13% | 0.11% | 0.02% |
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 0.03% | 0.18% | 0.15% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.07% | 0.12% | 0.05% |
| SLMSlm Corp | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| DDDupont De Nemours Inc. | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| SJWSjw Corp | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| ASBAustal Ltd Common Stock | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| KTBKontoor Brands Inc | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| NEUNewmarket Corp | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSE and VYM 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, DFSE or VYM?
DFSE has an expense ratio of 0.41% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSE or VYM?
Over the past year DFSE returned +21.11% vs +17.82% for VYM, so DFSE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSE annualized +20.69% vs +15.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSE or VYM?
DFSE has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFSE -19.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both DFSE and VYM?
DFSE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 DFSE and VYM?
1.3% of VYM's money is in holdings DFSE also owns. 1.3% of VYM's is in holdings DFSE also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 3,640 positions we hold weights for in DFSE and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSE or VYM?
DFSE yields 1.86% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFSE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFSE led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. DFSE is less concentrated, with 23.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.