DFUS vs. DFIC

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and DFIC (DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFIC is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFUS returned 20.71%/yr vs 19.29%/yr for DFIC. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for DFIC.

Performance

DFUS vs. DFIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DFUS having a 12.16% return and DFIC slightly higher at 12.58%.

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%

DFIC

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 1.70%
• 6M: 6.42%
• YTD: 12.58%
• 1Y: 27.36%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.21%

*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)
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	$72.09M	$73.19M	$55.03M
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	$53.44M	$56.99M	$61.31M

DFUS vs. DFIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	12.16%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-12.67%
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	12.58%	37.09%	4.10%	17.32%	-8.86%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and DFIC is 0.73, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2022	0.75

The correlation between DFUS and DFIC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFUS vs. DFIC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUS	DFIC
Technology	36.4%	9.2%
Financial Services	13.1%	21.3%
Healthcare	9.6%	7.3%
Industrials	9.2%	19.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	9.6%
Communication Services	9.0%	4.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	6.3%
Energy	3.8%	6.8%
Utilities	2.7%	3.4%
Basic Materials	2.3%	10.6%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.7%

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. DFIC — 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

DFIC

DFIC Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DFIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DFIC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DFIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DFIC Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. DFIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC). 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	DFIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.91	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.66	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	2.50	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.50	9.86	+1.64

DFUS vs. DFIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the DFIC Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and DFIC, 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. DFIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, roughly equal to the maximum DFIC drawdown of -24.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and DFIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	DFIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-24.40%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-11.00%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-13.14%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.16%	+0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-4.43%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	2.78%	-0.69%

Volatility

DFUS vs. DFIC - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) have volatilities of 3.98% and 4.02%, 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

	DFUS	DFIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	4.02%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.51%	12.38%	-1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.25%	14.44%	-1.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	16.16%	+1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.16%	16.16%	+1.00%

DFUS vs. DFIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFIC's 0.22% 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. DFIC - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than DFIC's 2.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	2.36%	2.54%	2.87%	2.55%	1.47%	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 DFIC in my portfolio?

DFUS and DFIC have a correlation of 0.73, 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 DFIC?

DFIC has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to DFUS (3.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs DFIC's -24.40%.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or DFIC?

On 3-year performance, DFUS leads with 20.71% vs 19.29% for DFIC. On fees, DFUS is cheaper at 0.09% 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, DFUS or DFIC?

Over the 3-year period, DFUS has performed better with a 20.71% return vs 19.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or DFIC?

DFUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for DFIC.

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

DFIC has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 0.85% for DFUS.

What is the main difference between DFUS and DFIC?

DFUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while DFIC is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.22% for DFIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 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.