AVUS vs. DFSU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVUS (Avantis U.S. Equity ETF) and DFSU (Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVUS returned 22.35%/yr vs 20.21%/yr for DFSU. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AVUS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFSU.

Performance

AVUS vs. DFSU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVUS achieves a 14.42% return, which is significantly higher than DFSU's 7.31% return.

AVUS

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 14.42%
• 6M: 14.71%
• 1Y: 32.34%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

DFSU

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 7.31%
• 6M: 7.39%
• 1Y: 23.54%
• 3Y*: 20.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVUS vs. DFSU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	14.42%	16.68%	20.43%	21.77%	1.80%
DFSU Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF	7.31%	15.65%	22.96%	26.27%	0.65%

Correlation

The correlation between AVUS and DFSU is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2022	0.98

The correlation between AVUS and DFSU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVUS vs. DFSU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVUS	DFSU
Technology	27.5%	28.7%
Financial Services	15.2%	16.7%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	12.0%
Industrials	11.5%	12.1%
Communication Services	9.8%	10.4%
Energy	7.4%	2.0%
Healthcare	7.1%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.3%
Basic Materials	2.7%	2.3%
Utilities	2.5%	1.0%
Real Estate	0.2%	0.3%

Return for Risk

AVUS vs. DFSU — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVUS

AVUS Risk / Return Rank: 81
AVUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVUS Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AVUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

DFSU

DFSU Risk / Return Rank: 52
DFSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
DFSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DFSU Omega Ratio Rank: 52
DFSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DFSU Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. DFSU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU). 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	DFSU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	1.82	+0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.66	2.57	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.33	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	2.34	+1.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.85	10.16	+8.69
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. DFSU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is higher than the DFSU Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVUS and DFSU, 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	DFSU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	1.82	+0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	1.26	-0.46

Drawdowns

AVUS vs. DFSU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVUS drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, which is greater than DFSU's maximum drawdown of -19.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVUS and DFSU.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVUS	DFSU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-19.88%	-17.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-10.12%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.74%	-19.88%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.69%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.09%	-2.66%	-2.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	2.32%	-0.60%

Volatility

AVUS vs. DFSU - Volatility Comparison

Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) and Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) have volatilities of 2.98% and 3.02%, 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	DFSU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	3.02%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	9.67%	-0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.15%	13.03%	-0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.29%	16.25%	+1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.85%	16.25%	+4.60%

AVUS vs. DFSU - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVUS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSU's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. DFSU - Dividend Comparison

AVUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, more than DFSU's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVUS Avantis U.S. Equity ETF	0.91%	1.08%	1.27%	1.41%	1.59%	1.08%	1.19%	0.35%
DFSU Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF	0.83%	0.85%	0.96%	1.03%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVUS and DFSU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, AVUS and DFSU 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 DFSU?

DFSU has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to AVUS (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVUS dropped -37.04% vs DFSU's -19.88%.

Which ETF is better, AVUS or DFSU?

On 3-year performance, AVUS leads with 22.35% vs 20.21% for DFSU. On fees, AVUS is cheaper at 0.15% 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 DFSU?

Over the 3-year period, AVUS has performed better with a 22.35% return vs 20.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVUS or DFSU?

AVUS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for DFSU.

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

AVUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.83% for DFSU.

What is the main difference between AVUS and DFSU?

They also come from different issuers: American Century and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for AVUS and 0.18% for DFSU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.82), 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.