DFUS vs. DFAW

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and DFAW (Dimensional World Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAW is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DFUS returned 23.97% vs 27.45% for DFAW. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DFAW.

Performance

DFUS vs. DFAW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUS achieves a 12.16% return, which is significantly lower than DFAW's 14.45% return.

DFUS

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 1.45%
• 6M: 9.83%
• YTD: 12.16%
• 1Y: 23.97%
• 3Y*: 20.71%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.24%

DFAW

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 1.61%
• 6M: 9.82%
• YTD: 14.45%
• 1Y: 27.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.35%

*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)
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	$6.19M	$6.32M	$7.79M
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	$53.44M	$56.99M	$61.31M

DFUS vs. DFAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	12.16%	17.46%	24.34%	12.48%
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	14.45%	20.62%	15.49%	11.44%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and DFAW is 0.93, 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.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.94

The correlation between DFUS and DFAW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFUS vs. DFAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUS	DFAW
Technology	36.4%	26.3%
Financial Services	13.1%	15.7%
Healthcare	9.6%	8.7%
Industrials	9.2%	13.7%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	9.9%
Communication Services	9.0%	6.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.9%
Energy	3.8%	5.1%
Utilities	2.7%	2.2%
Basic Materials	2.3%	4.8%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.3%

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. DFAW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 78
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DFAW

DFAW Risk / Return Rank: 86
DFAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
DFAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DFAW Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DFAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DFAW Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

DFUS vs. DFAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW). 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.

	DFUS	DFAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.15	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.95	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	3.10	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.50	13.38	-1.88

DFUS vs. DFAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the DFAW Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and DFAW, 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

DFUS vs. DFAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, which is greater than DFAW's maximum drawdown of -16.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and DFAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	DFAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-16.93%	-7.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-8.88%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-1.67%	-4.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	2.06%	+0.03%

Volatility

DFUS vs. DFAW - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) at 3.60%. This indicates that DFUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUS	DFAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	3.60%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.51%	10.52%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.25%	12.88%	+0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	14.46%	+2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.16%	14.46%	+2.70%

DFUS vs. DFAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAW's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFUS vs. DFAW - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than DFAW's 1.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	1.55%	1.71%	1.47%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.85%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUS and DFAW in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DFUS and DFAW 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, DFUS or DFAW?

DFUS has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to DFAW (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs DFAW's -16.93%.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or DFAW?

On 1-year performance, DFAW leads with 27.45% vs 23.97% for DFUS. On fees, DFUS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DFAW has been the lower-risk option at 3.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFUS or DFAW?

Over the 1-year period, DFAW has performed better with a 27.45% return vs 23.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or DFAW?

DFUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for DFAW.

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

DFAW has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.85% for DFUS.

What is the main difference between DFUS and DFAW?

DFUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DFAW is Global Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.25% for DFAW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.82), 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.