DFAU vs. IUS

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) and IUS (Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFAU is actively managed, while IUS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFAU returned 12.68%/yr vs 14.13%/yr for IUS. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IUS.

Performance

DFAU vs. IUS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAU achieves a 11.58% return, which is significantly lower than IUS's 17.63% return.

DFAU

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.54%
• 6M: 9.17%
• YTD: 11.58%
• 1Y: 22.27%
• 3Y*: 19.64%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: —

IUS

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 1.93%
• 6M: 14.07%
• YTD: 17.63%
• 1Y: 29.97%
• 3Y*: 19.63%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAU vs. IUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.58%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	26.89%	4.87%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	17.63%	16.94%	16.51%	20.79%	-8.34%	32.17%	4.38%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAU and IUS is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2020	0.93

The correlation between DFAU and IUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFAU vs. IUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAU	IUS
Technology	36.0%	21.6%
Financial Services	12.1%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	11.5%
Industrials	10.1%	9.1%
Communication Services	9.8%	11.7%
Healthcare	8.3%	15.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	7.6%
Energy	4.1%	7.5%
Basic Materials	2.4%	3.0%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.6%

Return for Risk

DFAU vs. IUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 76

IUS

IUS Risk / Return Rank: 94
IUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
IUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
IUS Omega Ratio Rank: 93
IUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IUS Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. IUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) and Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS). 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	IUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.84	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	3.89	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.52	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	4.90	-2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.26	20.38	-9.12

DFAU vs. IUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAU Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is lower than the IUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAU and IUS, 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. IUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAU drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, smaller than the maximum IUS drawdown of -34.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAU and IUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAU	IUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-34.67%	+11.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.67%	-6.15%	-2.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-15.61%	-3.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.61%	-18.72%	-4.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.38%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-3.82%	-1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.48%	+0.50%

Volatility

DFAU vs. IUS - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) has a higher volatility of 3.51% compared to Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) at 2.64%. This indicates that DFAU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAU	IUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	2.64%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.96%	7.93%	+2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.67%	10.60%	+2.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	15.02%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.72%	17.97%	-1.25%

DFAU vs. IUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than IUS's 0.19% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. IUS - Dividend Comparison

DFAU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, less than IUS's 1.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.91%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%
IUS Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF	1.26%	1.48%	1.52%	1.72%	1.78%	1.46%	1.74%	1.77%	0.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAU and IUS in my portfolio?

DFAU and IUS have a correlation of 0.86, 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 IUS?

DFAU has higher volatility (3.51%) compared to IUS (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAU dropped -23.61% vs IUS's -34.67%.

Which ETF is better, DFAU or IUS?

On 5-year performance, IUS leads with 14.13% vs 12.68% for DFAU. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, IUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAU or IUS?

Over the 5-year period, IUS has performed better with a 14.13% return vs 12.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAU or IUS?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for IUS.

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

IUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.26%, compared with 0.91% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DFAU and IUS?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DFAU and 0.19% for IUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 1.76), 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.