DFAU vs. DFAS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and DFAS (Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAS is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAU returned 21.97%/yr vs 15.54%/yr for DFAS. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for DFAS.

Performance

DFAU vs. DFAS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAU achieves a 12.07% return, which is significantly lower than DFAS's 13.73% return.

DFAU

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

DFAS

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 2.28%
• YTD: 13.73%
• 6M: 14.66%
• 1Y: 30.61%
• 3Y*: 15.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAU vs. DFAS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	12.07%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	10.73%
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	13.73%	8.17%	10.21%	17.83%	-13.84%	4.94%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU and DFAS is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.87

The correlation between DFAU and DFAS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFAU vs. DFAS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAU	DFAS
Technology	32.7%	15.0%
Financial Services	12.8%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	11.9%
Industrials	10.4%	18.6%
Communication Services	10.4%	2.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	11.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.3%
Energy	4.6%	6.7%
Utilities	2.5%	3.8%
Basic Materials	2.4%	5.6%
Real Estate	0.2%	0.2%

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. DFAS — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

DFAS

DFAS Risk / Return Rank: 57
DFAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
DFAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
DFAS Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DFAS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

DFAU vs. DFAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS). 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.

	DFAU	DFAS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.84	+0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.68	+0.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.32	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	3.25	+0.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.33	11.14	+5.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAU vs. DFAS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAU Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the DFAS Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAU and DFAS, 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

	DFAU	DFAS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.84	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.37	+0.58

Drawdowns

DFAU vs. DFAS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, smaller than the maximum DFAS drawdown of -26.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and DFAS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	DFAS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-26.13%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	-9.36%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-26.13%	+6.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-8.31%	+3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	2.73%	-0.84%

Volatility

DFAU vs. DFAS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is 2.88%, while Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (DFAS) has a volatility of 4.29%. This indicates that DFAU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAU	DFAS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	4.29%	-1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	11.56%	-2.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	16.75%	-4.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	20.85%	-3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	20.85%	-4.11%

DFAU vs. DFAS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAS's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAU vs. DFAS - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than DFAS's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF	0.92%	0.99%	0.93%	1.00%	1.03%	2.87%	0.00%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.89%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAU and DFAS in my portfolio?

DFAU and DFAS have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFAU or DFAS?

DFAS has higher volatility (4.29%) compared to DFAU (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAU dropped -23.61% vs DFAS's -26.13%.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or DFAS?

On 3-year performance, DFAU leads with 21.97% vs 15.54% for DFAS. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DFAU has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAU or DFAS?

Over the 3-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 21.97% return vs 15.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or DFAS?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for DFAS.

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

DFAS has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.89% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DFAU and DFAS?

DFAU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DFAS is Small Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 0.34% for DFAS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.84), 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.