AVUS vs. DFAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by American Century, while DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AVUS returned 13.29%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for DFAU. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

AVUS vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUS achieves a 14.95% return, which is significantly higher than DFAU's 12.07% return.

AVUS

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 4.82%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 6M: 15.91%
• 1Y: 34.03%
• 3Y*: 22.54%
• 5Y*: 13.29%
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 5.21%
• YTD: 12.07%
• 6M: 12.52%
• 1Y: 30.31%
• 3Y*: 21.97%
• 5Y*: 13.38%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVUS vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.95%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	-13.82%	28.73%	6.82%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	12.07%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	26.89%	6.48%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUS and DFAU is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.98

The correlation between AVUS and DFAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUS vs. DFAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUS	DFAU
Technology	27.5%	32.7%
Financial Services	15.2%	12.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	10.8%
Industrials	11.5%	10.4%
Communication Services	9.8%	10.4%
Energy	7.4%	4.6%
Healthcare	7.1%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.8%
Basic Materials	2.7%	2.4%
Utilities	2.5%	2.5%
Real Estate	0.2%	0.2%

Return for Risk

AVUS vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 85
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 89

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 76
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 76
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AVUS vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AVUS	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	2.53	+0.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.43	+0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.46	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	3.56	+0.84
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.10	16.33	+3.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVUS vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is comparable to the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUS and DFAU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVUS	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.82	2.53	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.79	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.95	-0.15

Drawdowns

AVUS vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUS drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, which is greater than DFAU's maximum drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUS and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUS	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-23.61%	-13.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-8.67%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-19.36%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	-23.61%	+1.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-4.99%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	1.89%	-0.17%

Volatility

AVUS vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) have volatilities of 2.97% and 2.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVUS	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	2.88%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	9.02%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.14%	12.04%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.29%	17.02%	+0.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.85%	16.74%	+4.11%

AVUS vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

AVUS vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, more than DFAU's 0.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.90%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.89%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUS and DFAU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, AVUS and DFAU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AVUS or DFAU?

AVUS has higher volatility (2.97%) compared to DFAU (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUS dropped -37.04% vs DFAU's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, AVUS or DFAU?

On 5-year performance, DFAU leads with 13.38% vs 13.29% for AVUS. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVUS or DFAU?

Over the 5-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 13.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUS or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for AVUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVUS or DFAU?

AVUS and DFAU have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.90%.

What is the main difference between AVUS and DFAU?

AVUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUS and 0.12% for DFAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 2.53), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.