DFAU vs. DFAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. DFAU is actively managed, while DFAX is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAU returned 21.97%/yr vs 21.30%/yr for DFAX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFAX.

Performance

DFAU vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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 DFAX's 16.39% return.

DFAU

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

DFAX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 3.96%
• YTD: 16.39%
• 6M: 19.78%
• 1Y: 35.75%
• 3Y*: 21.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAU vs. DFAX - 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%	6.51%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	16.39%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU and DFAX is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.77

The correlation between DFAU and DFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFAU vs. DFAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAU	DFAX
Technology	32.7%	10.9%
Financial Services	12.8%	17.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	10.9%
Industrials	10.4%	16.1%
Communication Services	10.4%	3.5%
Healthcare	8.5%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	3.9%
Energy	4.6%	6.6%
Utilities	2.5%	4.2%
Basic Materials	2.4%	13.2%
Real Estate	0.2%	3.1%

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. DFAX — 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

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.43	+0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	3.25	+0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.44	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	3.37	+0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.33	13.35	+2.99
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. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAU Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAU and DFAX, 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	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	2.43	+0.10
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	0.66	+0.29

Drawdowns

DFAU vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, smaller than the maximum DFAX drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-28.15%	+4.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	-11.11%	+2.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-13.89%	-5.47%
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%	-6.68%	+1.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	2.80%	-0.91%

Volatility

DFAU vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is 2.88%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 5.26%. This indicates that DFAU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAU	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	5.26%	-2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	12.64%	-3.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	14.82%	-2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	15.98%	+1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	15.98%	+0.76%

DFAU vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAU vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than DFAX's 2.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.89%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.20%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAU and DFAX in my portfolio?

DFAU and DFAX have a correlation of 0.77, 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 DFAX?

DFAX has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to DFAU (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAU dropped -23.61% vs DFAX's -28.15%.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or DFAX?

On 3-year performance, DFAU leads with 21.97% vs 21.30% for DFAX. 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 DFAX?

Over the 3-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 21.97% return vs 21.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or DFAX?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for DFAX.

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

DFAX has the higher dividend yield at 2.20%, compared with 0.89% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DFAU and DFAX?

DFAU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DFAX is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 0.30% for DFAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.43), 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.