DFIV vs. DFAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFIV (Dimensional International Value ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFIV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFIV returned 23.90%/yr vs 21.70%/yr for DFAU. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFIV charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

DFIV vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFIV having a 11.54% return and DFAU slightly lower at 11.32%.

DFIV

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 2.57%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 15.41%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 23.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.49%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFIV vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	11.54%	45.36%	7.26%	17.75%	-3.70%	0.08%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.32%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	6.51%

Correlation

The correlation between DFIV and DFAU is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.69

The correlation between DFIV and DFAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFIV vs. DFAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFIV	DFAU
Financial Services	32.4%	12.8%
Energy	16.4%	4.6%
Basic Materials	10.9%	2.4%
Industrials	9.6%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	10.8%
Healthcare	4.9%	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Communication Services	4.2%	10.4%
Technology	2.8%	32.7%
Utilities	2.5%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.8%	0.2%

Return for Risk

DFIV vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFIV

DFIV Risk / Return Rank: 75
DFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
DFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DFIV vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). 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.

	DFIV	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.38	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	3.24	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.43	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.63	3.30	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.02	15.10	-1.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFIV vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFIV Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFIV and DFAU, 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

	DFIV	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	2.38	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.94	-0.01

Drawdowns

DFIV vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFIV drawdown since its inception was -25.42%, which is greater than DFAU's maximum drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIV and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFIV	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.42%	-23.61%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.66%	-8.67%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.72%	-19.36%	+4.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	-0.67%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.48%	-4.99%	+0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	1.89%	+0.60%

Volatility

DFIV vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) has a higher volatility of 3.89% compared to Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) at 2.95%. This indicates that DFIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFIV	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.89%	2.95%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.99%	9.04%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.69%	12.06%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.63%	17.02%	-0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.63%	16.73%	-0.10%

DFIV vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFIV has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% 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

DFIV vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

DFIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, more than DFAU's 0.90% 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%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	2.55%	2.92%	3.88%	3.93%	3.84%	2.30%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFIV and DFAU in my portfolio?

DFIV and DFAU have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFIV or DFAU?

DFIV has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to DFAU (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIV dropped -25.42% vs DFAU's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, DFIV or DFAU?

On 3-year performance, DFIV leads with 23.90% vs 21.70% for DFAU. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DFAU has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFIV or DFAU?

Over the 3-year period, DFIV has performed better with a 23.90% return vs 21.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFIV or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for DFIV.

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

DFIV has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 0.90% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DFIV and DFAU?

DFIV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for DFIV and 0.12% for DFAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.38), 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.