DFUS vs. AFOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

DFUS vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUS achieves a 11.25% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 32.04% return.

DFUS

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.19%
• 1Y: 28.63%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AFOS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 8.94%
• YTD: 32.04%
• 6M: 37.37%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFUS vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	11.25%	12.22%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	32.04%	36.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and AFOS is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2025	0.84

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DFUS vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). 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.

	DFUS	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.70	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFUS	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	4.35	-3.56

Drawdowns

DFUS vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-11.52%	-13.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.29%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-1.37%	-4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DFUS	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	20.19%	-7.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	20.19%	-2.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	20.19%	-2.98%

DFUS vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFUS vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, more than AFOS's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.83%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUS and AFOS in my portfolio?

DFUS and AFOS have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or AFOS?

On fees, DFUS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or AFOS?

DFUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFUS or AFOS?

DFUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between DFUS and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.45% for AFOS.