AZTD vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

AZTD (Aztlan Global Stock Selection Dm SMID ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AZTD is a Global Equities fund tracking the Solactive Aztlan Global Developed Markets SMID Cap Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while DFAI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. AZTD is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AZTD returned 17.68%/yr vs 18.70%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AZTD charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

AZTD vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aztlan Global Stock Selection Dm SMID ETF (AZTD) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AZTD achieves a 13.87% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 10.08% return.

AZTD

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 13.87%
• 6M: 15.86%
• 1Y: 25.47%
• 3Y*: 17.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 6M: 12.41%
• 1Y: 25.22%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

AZTD vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AZTD Aztlan Global Stock Selection Dm SMID ETF	13.87%	25.46%	6.87%	10.34%	-1.54%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	10.08%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-0.15%

Correlation

The correlation between AZTD and DFAI is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 19, 2022	0.80

The correlation between AZTD and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

AZTD vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AZTD	DFAI
Technology	25.3%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	22.3%	8.6%
Industrials	18.2%	19.5%
Financial Services	14.4%	22.5%
Healthcare	7.8%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	6.4%
Basic Materials	3.0%	8.8%
Utilities	2.0%	4.0%
Communication Services	1.6%	3.7%
Energy	1.4%	6.8%
Real Estate	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

AZTD vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

AZTD

AZTD Risk / Return Rank: 44
AZTD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
AZTD Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
AZTD Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AZTD Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AZTD Martin Ratio Rank: 47

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 52
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

AZTD vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aztlan Global Stock Selection Dm SMID ETF (AZTD) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	AZTD	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	1.80	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.54	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	2.31	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.58	9.08	-1.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AZTD vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AZTD Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AZTD and DFAI, 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

	AZTD	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	1.80	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.79	-0.02

Drawdowns

AZTD vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AZTD drawdown since its inception was -16.75%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AZTD and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	AZTD	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.75%	-27.44%	+10.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.19%	-10.95%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.75%	-13.25%	-3.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-0.78%	-1.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.87%	-5.12%	+1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	2.79%	+0.58%

Volatility

AZTD vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Aztlan Global Stock Selection Dm SMID ETF (AZTD) has a higher volatility of 5.06% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.39%. This indicates that AZTD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AZTD	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	4.39%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.09%	11.71%	+1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.35%	14.07%	+3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.55%	15.92%	+2.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.55%	15.70%	+2.85%

AZTD vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

AZTD has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

AZTD vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

AZTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than DFAI's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AZTD Aztlan Global Stock Selection Dm SMID ETF	0.92%	1.05%	1.87%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.24%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AZTD and DFAI in my portfolio?

AZTD and DFAI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AZTD or DFAI?

AZTD has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to DFAI (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AZTD dropped -16.75% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, AZTD or DFAI?

On 3-year performance, DFAI leads with 18.70% vs 17.68% for AZTD. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AZTD or DFAI?

Over the 3-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 18.70% return vs 17.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AZTD or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AZTD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AZTD or DFAI?

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.24%, compared with 0.92% for AZTD.

What is the main difference between AZTD and DFAI?

AZTD is categorized as Global Equities, while DFAI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Aztlan and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AZTD and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.48), 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.