DFAT vs. DFAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFAT (Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAT is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAT returned 16.49%/yr vs 21.70%/yr for DFAU. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAT charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

DFAT vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (DFAT) 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, DFAT achieves a 13.26% return, which is significantly higher than DFAU's 11.32% return.

DFAT

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 1.45%
• YTD: 13.26%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 30.02%
• 3Y*: 16.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.49%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAT vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAT Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF	13.26%	8.73%	7.80%	20.86%	-6.23%	5.08%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.32%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	10.73%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAT and DFAU is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.82

The correlation between DFAT and DFAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFAT vs. DFAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAT	DFAU
Financial Services	28.0%	12.8%
Industrials	15.9%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	14.4%	10.8%
Energy	11.5%	4.6%
Technology	9.2%	32.7%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	4.8%
Healthcare	6.2%	8.5%
Basic Materials	5.1%	2.4%
Communication Services	1.8%	10.4%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.2%
Utilities	0.4%	2.5%

Return for Risk

DFAT vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAT

DFAT Risk / Return Rank: 55
DFAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
DFAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
DFAT Omega Ratio Rank: 51
DFAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFAT Martin Ratio Rank: 57

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DFAT vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (DFAT) 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.

	DFAT	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.38	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	3.24	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.43	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	3.30	-0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.13	15.10	-4.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAT vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAT Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is comparable to the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAT 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

	DFAT	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.38	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.94	-0.49

Drawdowns

DFAT vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAT drawdown since its inception was -26.12%, which is greater than DFAU's maximum drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAT and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAT	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.12%	-23.61%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.55%	-8.67%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.12%	-19.36%	-6.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.67%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-4.99%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	1.89%	+1.08%

Volatility

DFAT vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (DFAT) has a higher volatility of 4.06% compared to Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) at 2.95%. This indicates that DFAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAT	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.06%	2.95%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.88%	9.04%	+1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.75%	12.06%	+4.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.48%	17.02%	+4.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.48%	16.73%	+4.75%

DFAT vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAT has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAT vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

DFAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than DFAU's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAT Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF	1.45%	1.55%	1.31%	1.34%	1.34%	1.13%	0.00%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.90%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAT and DFAU in my portfolio?

DFAT and DFAU have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFAT or DFAU?

DFAT has higher volatility (4.06%) compared to DFAU (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAT dropped -26.12% vs DFAU's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, DFAT or DFAU?

On 3-year performance, DFAU leads with 21.70% vs 16.49% for DFAT. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DFAU has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAT or DFAU?

Over the 3-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 21.70% return vs 16.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAT or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DFAT.

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

DFAT has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.90% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DFAT and DFAU?

DFAT is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DFAT and 0.12% for DFAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.81), 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.