DFAU vs. FTIF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and FTIF (First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFAU is actively managed, while FTIF is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAU returned 20.07%/yr vs 11.08%/yr for FTIF. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTIF.

Performance

DFAU vs. FTIF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF (FTIF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAU achieves a 12.63% return, which is significantly lower than FTIF's 23.66% return.

DFAU

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 1.79%
• 6M: 9.88%
• YTD: 12.63%
• 1Y: 24.32%
• 3Y*: 20.07%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.12%

FTIF

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 4.18%
• 6M: 14.24%
• YTD: 23.66%
• 1Y: 33.50%
• 3Y*: 11.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.81%

*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)
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	$29.77M	$29.67M	$32.10M
FTIF First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF	$97.77K	$75.15K	$62.02K

DFAU vs. FTIF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	12.63%	16.78%	23.17%	24.10%
FTIF First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF	23.66%	7.79%	0.50%	12.31%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU and FTIF is 0.44, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2023	0.63

The correlation between DFAU and FTIF shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFAU vs. FTIF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAU	FTIF
Technology	39.8%	4.4%
Financial Services	14.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	4.0%
Industrials	9.0%	18.2%
Communication Services	7.4%	-
Healthcare	7.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	-
Energy	3.2%	39.0%
Utilities	2.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.2%	20.6%
Real Estate	0.2%	13.8%

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. FTIF — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 80
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 85

FTIF

FTIF Risk / Return Rank: 89
FTIF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FTIF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FTIF Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FTIF Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FTIF Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

DFAU vs. FTIF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF (FTIF). 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.

	DFAU	FTIF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.27	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	3.14	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	5.31	-2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.20	15.40	-3.21

DFAU vs. FTIF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAU Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the FTIF Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAU and FTIF, 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

DFAU vs. FTIF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, smaller than the maximum FTIF drawdown of -27.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and FTIF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	FTIF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-27.83%	+4.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	-6.34%	-2.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-27.83%	+8.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.20%	+2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-5.90%	+1.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	2.18%	-0.18%

Volatility

DFAU vs. FTIF - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) has a higher volatility of 3.63% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF (FTIF) at 2.78%. This indicates that DFAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTIF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAU	FTIF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.63%	2.78%	+0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.12%	10.50%	-0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.89%	14.85%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	18.72%	-1.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.69%	18.72%	-2.03%

DFAU vs. FTIF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than FTIF's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAU vs. FTIF - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than FTIF's 1.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.90%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%
FTIF First Trust Bloomberg Inflation Sensitive Equity ETF	1.08%	1.45%	2.88%	1.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAU and FTIF in my portfolio?

DFAU and FTIF have a correlation of 0.44, 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 FTIF?

DFAU has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to FTIF (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAU dropped -23.61% vs FTIF's -27.83%.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or FTIF?

On 3-year performance, DFAU leads with 20.07% vs 11.08% for FTIF. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, FTIF has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAU or FTIF?

Over the 3-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 20.07% return vs 11.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or FTIF?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTIF.

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

FTIF has the higher dividend yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.90% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DFAU and FTIF?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 0.60% for FTIF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTIF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.90), 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.