DFSU vs VYM
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFSU or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFSU led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.8%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 1,958 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +11.22% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.36% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.73%Best | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5% | 11.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $20,067Best | $17,508 |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.8% | 25.8%Best |
| 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 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2022 to Nov 11, 2026 (4 years).
DFSU 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 4 years both funds cover.
DFSU vs VYM Performance
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFSU returned +12.36% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, DFSU is up 11.22% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Over three years, DFSU compounded at +20.73% per year against +20.46% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, DFSU has the edge at +19.02% annualized vs +15.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 11.7% 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 -19.9% for DFSU 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSU charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSU currently yields 0.84% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
35.7% of DFSU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 77.7% of VYM's money is in holdings DFSU also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside DFSU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
456 positions in common, counted across the 1,979 positions we hold weights for in DFSU and 602 in VYM, against full books of 1,958 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 129 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFSU (20.9% of the fund), and 699 for DFSU that do not appear in VYM (62.1%).
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 DFSU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.09% | 6.94% | 4.85% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.52% | 3.83% | 2.31% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.96% | 2.58% | 1.62% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.70% | 1.83% | 1.13% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.53% | 1.76% | 1.23% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.46% | 1.65% | 1.19% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.57% | 1.47% | 0.90% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.57% | 1.42% | 0.85% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 0.52% | 1.46% | 0.94% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.52% | 1.39% | 0.87% |
77.7% of VYM is already inside DFSU.
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 VYM?
DFSU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSU or VYM?
Over the past year DFSU returned +12.36% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSU annualized +19.02% vs +15.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSU or VYM?
DFSU has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 11.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFSU -19.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both DFSU and VYM?
DFSU and VYM 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 DFSU and VYM?
77.7% of VYM's money is in holdings DFSU also owns. 77.7% of VYM's is in holdings DFSU also owns. They hold 456 positions in common, counted across the 1,979 positions we hold weights for in DFSU and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSU or VYM?
DFSU yields 0.84% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFSU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFSU led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.