DFSU vs VTI
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFSU or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. DFSU is less concentrated, with 31.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | DFSU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,951 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.97% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.05% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.66% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.89% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.9% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $20,046 | $21,092Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
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 14, 2026 (3.9 years).
DFSU 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
DFSU vs VTI Performance
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFSU returned +14.05% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, DFSU is up 9.97% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, DFSU compounded at +19.66% per year against +20.83% for VTI. Across the full 4-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +21.09% annualized vs +19.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 13.4% 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 -19.9% for DFSU and -19.3% 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 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSU charges 0.15% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSU currently yields 0.82% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.5% of DFSU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 81.9% of VTI's money is in holdings DFSU also owns.
Most of DFSU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,851 positions in common, counted across the 1,938 positions we hold weights for in DFSU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,951 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 319 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DFSU (15.9% of the fund), and 25 for DFSU that do not appear in VTI (0.8%).
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 DFSU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.97% | 6.40% | 0.57% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.34% | 6.29% | 0.05% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.34% | 4.79% | 1.45% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.12% | 3.65% | 0.53% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.22% | 2.90% | 0.68% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.15% | 2.56% | 0.41% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.82% | 1.70% | 1.12% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.79% | 2.31% | 0.52% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.61% | 1.31% | 0.30% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.39% | 1.35% | 0.04% |
97.5% of DFSU 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, DFSU or VTI?
DFSU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSU or VTI?
Over the past year DFSU returned +14.05% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSU annualized +19.52% vs +21.09% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSU or VTI?
DFSU has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 13.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DFSU -19.9% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both DFSU and VTI?
DFSU and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DFSU and VTI?
97.5% of DFSU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 81.9% of VTI's is in holdings DFSU also owns. They hold 1,851 positions in common, counted across the 1,938 positions we hold weights for in DFSU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSU or VTI?
DFSU yields 0.82% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFSU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. DFSU is less concentrated, with 31.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.