DFUS vs. DFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. DFUS is actively managed, while DFAX is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFUS returned 22.42%/yr vs 20.90%/yr for DFAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFAX.

Performance

DFUS vs. DFAX - 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 ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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 DFAX's 15.23% return.

DFUS

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

DFAX

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 18.11%
• 1Y: 34.96%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFUS vs. DFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	11.25%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-18.34%	6.35%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	15.23%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and DFAX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.76

The correlation between DFUS and DFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFUS vs. DFAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUS	DFAX
Communication Services	23.5%	3.5%
Financial Services	20.2%	17.9%
Technology	17.4%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	10.9%
Industrials	9.5%	16.1%
Energy	5.3%	6.6%
Healthcare	4.1%	5.6%
Utilities	3.0%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	3.9%
Basic Materials	1.1%	13.2%
Real Estate	0.0%	3.1%

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. DFAX — 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

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. DFAX - 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 ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.37	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.17	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.16	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.70	12.50	+2.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFUS vs. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and DFAX, 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

	DFUS	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.37	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.65	+0.14

Drawdowns

DFUS vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, smaller than the maximum DFAX drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-28.15%	+3.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-11.11%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-13.89%	-5.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-1.00%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-6.67%	+0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.80%	-0.85%

Volatility

DFUS vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is 3.07%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 5.27%. This indicates that DFUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUS	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	5.27%	-2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	12.67%	-3.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	14.83%	-2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	15.99%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	15.99%	+1.22%

DFUS vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFUS vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than DFAX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.22%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%
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 DFAX in my portfolio?

DFUS and DFAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFUS or DFAX?

DFAX has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to DFUS (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs DFAX's -28.15%.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or DFAX?

On 3-year performance, DFUS leads with 22.42% vs 20.90% for DFAX. On fees, DFUS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DFUS has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFUS or DFAX?

Over the 3-year period, DFUS has performed better with a 22.42% return vs 20.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or DFAX?

DFUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for DFAX.

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

DFAX has the higher dividend yield at 2.22%, compared with 0.83% for DFUS.

What is the main difference between DFUS and DFAX?

DFUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DFAX is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.30% for DFAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.35), 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.