Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with DFSE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DFSE
DFSE charges 0.41% annually. There are 41 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | DFSE vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | DFSE vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | DFSE vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | DFSE vs IEMG | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.59B | Jan 2010 | DFSE vs SCHE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DFSE
DFSE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 46. There are 83 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 92.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 92 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | DFSE vs EMEQ | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | DFSE vs EVLU | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | DFSE vs GEME | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 89 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | DFSE vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 86 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | DFSE vs FTHF |
Top Performing DFSE Alternatives (YTD)
DFSE is at 13.25% YTD. There are 79 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 55.77%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 55.77% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | DFSE vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 35.77% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | DFSE vs FTHF | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 32.23% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | DFSE vs EMSF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.89% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | DFSE vs STXE | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 30.26% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | DFSE vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DFSE
DFSE has 22.19% 1-year volatility. There are 54 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.65% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | DFSE vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | DFSE vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | DFSE vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | DFSE vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | DFSE vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DFSE
DFSE has a 1-year max drawdown of -12.88%. There are 35 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | DFSE vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | DFSE vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | DFSE vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | DFSE vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | DFSE vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from Dimensional
The 10 most viewed Dimensional ETFs shown here include DFUS, DFIV, DFAW and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $48B.
Often Compared With DFSE
Investors most often compare DFSE with DFAE, AVSE, VEU. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DFSE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DFSE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DFSE with funds that move differently
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DFSE.
Explore DFSE Diversifiers