DFUEX vs. VSTSX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

DFUEX (DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 Portfolio) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, DFUEX returned 12.58%/yr vs 12.82%/yr for VSTSX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFUEX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VSTSX.

Performance

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 Portfolio (DFUEX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUEX achieves a 13.41% return, which is significantly higher than VSTSX's 11.71% return.

DFUEX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 3.06%
• YTD: 13.41%
• 6M: 13.19%
• 1Y: 30.85%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 12.58%
• 10Y*: 14.52%

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.24%
• 1Y: 29.37%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 12.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFUEX DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 Portfolio	13.41%	15.65%	22.08%	25.95%	-17.95%	27.86%	15.75%	33.20%	-9.98%	17.43%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.71%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUEX and VSTSX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.96

The correlation between DFUEX and VSTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFUEX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUEX

DFUEX Risk / Return Rank: 66
DFUEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DFUEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
DFUEX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
DFUEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DFUEX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 Portfolio (DFUEX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.

	DFUEX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.37	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	3.24	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.42	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.24	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.38	14.96	-1.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the VSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUEX and VSTSX, 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

	DFUEX	VSTSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.37	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.74	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.80	-0.01

Drawdowns

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUEX drawdown since its inception was -37.99%, which is greater than VSTSX's maximum drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUEX and VSTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUEX	VSTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.99%	-34.97%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.04%	-8.92%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.68%	-19.36%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.56%	-25.35%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.26%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.67%	-4.89%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	1.93%	+0.38%

Volatility

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 Portfolio (DFUEX) has a higher volatility of 3.55% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) at 3.00%. This indicates that DFUEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUEX	VSTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	3.00%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.36%	9.21%	+1.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.43%	12.21%	+1.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.39%	17.36%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.22%	18.75%	+0.47%

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUEX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VSTSX's 0.01% 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

DFUEX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison

DFUEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than VSTSX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUEX DFA U.S. Social Core Equity 2 Portfolio	0.74%	0.64%	0.93%	1.78%	4.61%	4.73%	1.18%	5.79%	3.19%	2.12%	2.05%	2.95%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUEX and VSTSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, DFUEX and VSTSX 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, DFUEX or VSTSX?

DFUEX has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to VSTSX (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUEX dropped -37.99% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.31), 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.