DFUS vs VXUS
Dimensional US Equity Market ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, DFUS or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | DFUS | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $21.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 2,253 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +11.12% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.54% | +19.71%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.71%Best | +19.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.25%Best | +8.59% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.6%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,821Best | $15,099 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2001 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 14, 2021 to Sep 15, 2026 (5.3 years).
DFUS vs VXUS 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
DFUS vs VXUS Performance
Dimensional US Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFUS returned +15.54% while VXUS returned +19.71%. Year to date, DFUS is up 11.12% versus a gain of 12.57% for VXUS.
Over three years, DFUS compounded at +20.71% per year against +19.25% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.25% and +8.59% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.9% for VXUS. 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 -24.6% for DFUS and -29.4% for VXUS. 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
DFUS charges 0.09% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFUS currently yields 0.84% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of DFUS's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
18 positions in common, counted across the 2,215 positions we hold weights for in DFUS and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 2,253 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFUS | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.03% | 0.76% | 0.73% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
| JHX:AUJames Hardie Industries Plc Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| RAILFreightcar America Inc | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| FPH:NZFive Point Holdings, Llc Class A Common Shares | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFUS and VXUS 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, DFUS or VXUS?
DFUS has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFUS or VXUS?
Over the past year DFUS returned +15.54% vs +19.71% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFUS or VXUS?
DFUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: DFUS -24.6% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both DFUS and VXUS?
DFUS and VXUS 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFUS or VXUS?
DFUS yields 0.84% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than DFUS?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. DFUS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.