DFAX vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. DFAX is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAX returned 19.83%/yr vs 21.13%/yr for VTI. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFAX charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

DFAX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAX achieves a 15.67% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 14.27% return.

DFAX

• 1D: 1.88%
• 1M: 1.96%
• 6M: 7.86%
• YTD: 15.67%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 19.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.13%

VTI

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 12.73%
• YTD: 14.27%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 21.13%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: 14.87%
• ALL TIME*: 9.72%

*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)
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	$32.66M	$29.75M	$28.81M
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.13B	$1.17B	$1.24B

DFAX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	15.67%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.10%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	14.27%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	5.65%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAX and VTI is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2021	0.77

The correlation between DFAX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFAX vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAX	VTI
Technology	19.9%	36.1%
Financial Services	18.5%	11.8%
Industrials	17.2%	10.2%
Basic Materials	9.8%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	9.4%
Healthcare	5.9%	9.7%
Energy	5.6%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.3%
Communication Services	4.2%	9.1%
Utilities	2.8%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.3%

Return for Risk

DFAX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

DFAX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	DFAX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.85	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.55	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.67	2.71	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.81	11.68	-1.87

DFAX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAX and VTI, 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

DFAX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAX drawdown since its inception was -28.15%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.15%	-55.45%	+27.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.11%	-8.92%	-2.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.89%	-19.30%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.36%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	0.00%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.53%	-7.98%	+1.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	2.07%	+0.95%

Volatility

DFAX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a higher volatility of 5.46% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.13%. This indicates that DFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	4.13%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.77%	10.47%	+4.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.59%	13.18%	+3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	17.54%	-1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.18%	18.32%	-2.14%

DFAX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAX has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

DFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, more than VTI's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.29%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAX and VTI in my portfolio?

DFAX and VTI have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFAX or VTI?

DFAX has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to VTI (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAX dropped -28.15% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, DFAX or VTI?

On 3-year performance, VTI leads with 21.13% vs 19.83% for DFAX. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAX or VTI?

Over the 3-year period, VTI has performed better with a 21.13% return vs 19.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAX or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DFAX.

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

DFAX has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.02% for VTI.

What is the main difference between DFAX and VTI?

DFAX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DFAX and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.79), 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.