DFSU vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFSU (Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFSU is actively managed, while ITOT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSU returned 20.74%/yr vs 22.39%/yr for ITOT. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFSU charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

DFSU vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSU achieves a 8.15% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 11.78% return.

DFSU

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.93%
• 1Y: 24.54%
• 3Y*: 20.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 4.64%
• YTD: 11.78%
• 6M: 11.52%
• 1Y: 28.81%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

DFSU vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSU Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF	8.15%	15.65%	22.96%	26.27%	0.65%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.78%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	2.14%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSU and ITOT is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2022	0.98

The correlation between DFSU and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFSU vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFSU	ITOT
Technology	28.7%	33.8%
Financial Services	16.7%	12.1%
Industrials	12.1%	9.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	10.1%
Communication Services	10.4%	10.3%
Healthcare	10.2%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.7%
Basic Materials	2.3%	2.1%
Energy	2.0%	3.7%
Utilities	1.0%	2.3%
Real Estate	0.3%	2.4%

Return for Risk

DFSU vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSU

DFSU Risk / Return Rank: 56
DFSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DFSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
DFSU Omega Ratio Rank: 56
DFSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
DFSU Martin Ratio Rank: 60

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 73
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

DFSU vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	DFSU	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.37	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	3.24	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	3.25	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	14.92	-4.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFSU vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSU Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSU and ITOT, 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

	DFSU	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.37	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.27	0.57	+0.70

Drawdowns

DFSU vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSU drawdown since its inception was -19.88%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSU and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSU	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.88%	-55.20%	+35.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.12%	-8.90%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.88%	-19.44%	-0.44%
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	0.00%	-0.25%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-6.97%	+4.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	1.94%	+0.38%

Volatility

DFSU vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) have volatilities of 3.02% and 2.94%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSU	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.02%	2.94%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.69%	9.14%	+0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	12.19%	+0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.24%	17.35%	-1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.24%	18.26%	-2.02%

DFSU vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSU has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% 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

DFSU vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

DFSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than ITOT's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFSU Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF	0.82%	0.85%	0.96%	1.03%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.97%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSU and ITOT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, DFSU and ITOT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DFSU or ITOT?

DFSU has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to ITOT (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSU dropped -19.88% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, DFSU or ITOT?

On 3-year performance, ITOT leads with 22.39% vs 20.74% for DFSU. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFSU or ITOT?

Over the 3-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 22.39% return vs 20.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFSU or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for DFSU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFSU or ITOT?

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.82% for DFSU.

What is the main difference between DFSU and ITOT?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for DFSU and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.89), 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.