DEXC vs. DFAI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DEXC (Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DEXC is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DEXC returned 39.06% vs 26.71% for DFAI. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DEXC charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

DEXC vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF (DEXC) 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, DEXC achieves a 22.11% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 12.02% return.

DEXC

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -6.85%
• 6M: 13.02%
• YTD: 22.11%
• 1Y: 39.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.12%

DFAI

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 1.25%
• 6M: 6.62%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 1Y: 26.71%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 10.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.23%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DEXC Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF	$1.25M	$1.39M	$1.60M
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	$73.27M	$69.05M	$61.26M

DEXC vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DEXC Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF	22.11%	27.13%	-1.63%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	12.02%	34.04%	-0.77%

Correlation

The correlation between DEXC and DFAI is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2024	0.71

The correlation between DEXC and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

DEXC vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEXC	DFAI
Technology	48.1%	11.1%
Financial Services	14.7%	23.1%
Industrials	9.3%	19.1%
Basic Materials	6.5%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	8.6%
Communication Services	3.2%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	6.4%
Energy	3.1%	5.8%
Healthcare	2.8%	8.8%
Utilities	1.9%	3.8%
Real Estate	1.4%	1.4%

Return for Risk

DEXC vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DEXC

DEXC Risk / Return Rank: 64
DEXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DEXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
DEXC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DEXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
DEXC Martin Ratio Rank: 67

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DEXC vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF (DEXC) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DEXC	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.82	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.56	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.33	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	2.44	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.09	9.59	-1.50

DEXC vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEXC Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEXC 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.

Drawdowns

DEXC vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEXC drawdown since its inception was -18.31%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEXC and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEXC	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.31%	-27.44%	+9.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.31%	-10.95%	-7.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.25%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.30%	-0.64%	-13.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.92%	-5.01%	+2.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.79%	2.78%	+2.01%

Volatility

DEXC vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF (DEXC) has a higher volatility of 10.08% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.24%. This indicates that DEXC'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

	DEXC	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.08%	4.24%	+5.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.42%	12.66%	+11.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.90%	14.65%	+11.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.68%	16.00%	+6.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.68%	15.69%	+6.99%

DEXC vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEXC has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEXC vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

DEXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, less than DFAI's 2.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DEXC Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF	1.67%	1.97%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.30%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEXC and DFAI in my portfolio?

DEXC and DFAI have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEXC or DFAI?

DEXC has higher volatility (10.08%) compared to DFAI (4.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEXC dropped -18.31% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, DEXC or DFAI?

On 1-year performance, DEXC leads with 39.06% vs 26.71% for DFAI. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEXC or DFAI?

Over the 1-year period, DEXC has performed better with a 39.06% return vs 26.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEXC or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DEXC.

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

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.30%, compared with 1.67% for DEXC.

What is the main difference between DEXC and DFAI?

DEXC is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DFAI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DEXC and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.50), 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.