DFSI vs VYM
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFSI or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFSI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. DFSI is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | DFSI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.18% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 2,762 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.25% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.81% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.49%Best | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.8%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $20,302Best | $17,171 |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 12, 2008 | 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 15, 2026 (3.9 years).
DFSI 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.
DFSI vs VYM Performance
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSI) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFSI returned +13.81% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, DFSI is up 8.25% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, DFSI compounded at +18.49% per year against +17.66% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, DFSI has the edge at +19.91% annualized vs +14.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% 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 -12.8% for DFSI 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSI charges 0.24% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $4 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSI currently yields 2.18% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of DFSI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.0% of VYM's money is in holdings DFSI also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 2,738 positions we hold weights for in DFSI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 2,762 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFSI (96.1% of the fund), and 29 for DFSI that do not appear in VYM (1.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSI 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, DFSI or VYM?
DFSI has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSI or VYM?
Over the past year DFSI returned +13.81% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSI annualized +19.91% vs +14.87% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSI or VYM?
DFSI has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 11.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFSI -12.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both DFSI and VYM?
DFSI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, DFSI or VYM?
DFSI yields 2.18% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFSI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFSI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. DFSI is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.