DFSV vs VTI
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DFSV or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFSV led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. DFSV is less concentrated, with 6.8% 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 | DFSV | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 31 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +18.73%Best | +11.06% |
| 1Y Return | +23.51%Best | +15.41% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.71% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.0% | -22.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $16,815 | $18,360Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2022 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2022 to Sep 16, 2026 (4.6 years).
DFSV 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
DFSV vs VTI Performance
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (DFSV) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFSV returned +23.51% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, DFSV is up 18.73% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, DFSV compounded at +16.71% per year against +20.48% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.9% 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 -28.0% for DFSV and -22.4% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSV charges 0.30% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $3 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSV currently yields 1.35% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.8% of DFSV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.4% of VTI's money is in holdings DFSV also owns.
Most of DFSV is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
931 positions in common, counted across the 997 positions we hold weights for in DFSV and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 31 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 948 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for DFSV (95.1% of the fund), and 33 for DFSV that do not appear in VTI (2.5%).
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 DFSV | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IVZInvesco Plc | 0.83% | 0.02% | 0.81% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.75% | 0.02% | 0.73% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 0.74% | 0.02% | 0.72% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.72% | 0.02% | 0.70% |
| KNXKnight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc | 0.69% | 0.01% | 0.68% |
| ARWArrow Electronics Inc. | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
| DARDarling Ingredients, Inc. | 0.62% | 0.01% | 0.61% |
| ELANElanco Animal Health, Inc Cvr | 0.60% | 0.02% | 0.58% |
| SSBSouth State Corp | 0.61% | 0.01% | 0.60% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
94.8% of DFSV 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, DFSV or VTI?
DFSV has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSV or VTI?
Over the past year DFSV returned +23.51% vs +15.41% for VTI, so DFSV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSV or VTI?
DFSV has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: DFSV -28.0% vs VTI -22.4%.
Should I hold both DFSV and VTI?
DFSV and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 DFSV and VTI?
94.8% of DFSV's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.4% of VTI's is in holdings DFSV also owns. They hold 931 positions in common, counted across the 997 positions we hold weights for in DFSV and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSV or VTI?
DFSV yields 1.35% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DFSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DFSV?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. DFSV led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y and the full window. DFSV is less concentrated, with 6.8% 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.