DFAU vs. GLDM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and GLDM (SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while GLDM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. DFAU is actively managed, while GLDM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFAU returned 13.38%/yr vs 18.99%/yr for GLDM. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GLDM.

Performance

DFAU vs. GLDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM). 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 higher than GLDM's 3.99% return.

DFAU

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

GLDM

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -2.66%
• YTD: 3.99%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 32.55%
• 3Y*: 31.91%
• 5Y*: 18.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAU vs. GLDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	12.07%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	26.89%	6.48%
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	3.99%	64.20%	27.08%	13.04%	-0.47%	-4.01%	1.66%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU and GLDM is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.14

DFAU vs. GLDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAU	GLDM
Technology	32.7%	-
Financial Services	12.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	-
Industrials	10.4%	-
Communication Services	10.4%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	4.6%	-
Utilities	2.5%	-
Basic Materials	2.4%	100.0%
Real Estate	0.2%	-

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. GLDM — 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

GLDM

GLDM Risk / Return Rank: 34
GLDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
GLDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GLDM Omega Ratio Rank: 37
GLDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
GLDM Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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. GLDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM). 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	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.24	+1.29
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	1.64	+1.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.25	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	1.88	+1.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.33	4.74	+11.59
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. GLDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAU Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the GLDM Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAU and GLDM, 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	GLDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.24	+1.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	1.07	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	1.03	-0.07

Drawdowns

DFAU vs. GLDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, which is greater than GLDM's maximum drawdown of -21.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and GLDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	GLDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-21.63%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	-19.14%	+10.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-19.14%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.61%	-20.92%	-2.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-16.85%	+16.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-6.21%	+1.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	7.61%	-5.72%

Volatility

DFAU vs. GLDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) is 2.88%, while SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM) has a volatility of 5.74%. This indicates that DFAU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GLDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAU	GLDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	5.74%	-2.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	22.98%	-13.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.04%	26.49%	-14.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	17.92%	-0.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.74%	16.85%	-0.11%

DFAU vs. GLDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than GLDM's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFAU vs. GLDM - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, while GLDM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

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%
GLDM SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAU and GLDM in my portfolio?

DFAU and GLDM have a correlation of 0.19, 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 GLDM?

GLDM has higher volatility (5.74%) compared to DFAU (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAU dropped -23.61% vs GLDM's -21.63%.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or GLDM?

On 5-year performance, GLDM leads with 18.99% vs 13.38% for DFAU. On fees, GLDM is cheaper at 0.10% 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 GLDM?

Over the 5-year period, GLDM has performed better with a 18.99% return vs 13.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or GLDM?

GLDM is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for DFAU.

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

DFAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.00% for GLDM.

What is the main difference between DFAU and GLDM?

DFAU is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while GLDM is Gold. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 0.10% for GLDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.24), 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.