DFUS vs. EQL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFUS is actively managed, while EQL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFUS returned 12.76%/yr vs 10.87%/yr for EQL. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for EQL.

Performance

DFUS vs. EQL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFUS having a 12.16% return and EQL slightly lower at 11.79%.

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%

EQL

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 1.30%
• 6M: 7.57%
• YTD: 11.79%
• 1Y: 19.50%
• 3Y*: 15.68%
• 5Y*: 10.87%
• 10Y*: 12.40%
• ALL TIME*: 13.54%

*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)
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	$53.44M	$56.99M	$61.31M
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	$3.24M	$2.89M	$2.73M

DFUS vs. EQL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	12.16%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-18.34%	12.07%
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	11.79%	13.09%	16.44%	16.87%	-10.72%	10.17%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and EQL is 0.74, 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.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021	0.89

The correlation between DFUS and EQL shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFUS vs. EQL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUS	EQL
Technology	36.4%	10.2%
Financial Services	13.1%	9.1%
Healthcare	9.6%	9.4%
Industrials	9.2%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	9.6%
Communication Services	9.0%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	8.8%
Energy	3.8%	8.7%
Utilities	2.7%	9.4%
Basic Materials	2.3%	8.0%
Real Estate	0.1%	8.7%

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. EQL — 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

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 85
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 85
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. EQL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). 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	EQL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.07	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.89	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.38	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	3.16	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.50	12.39	-0.88

DFUS vs. EQL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the EQL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and EQL, 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. EQL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, smaller than the maximum EQL drawdown of -35.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and EQL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	EQL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-35.65%	+11.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-6.19%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-15.07%	-4.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.62%	-19.24%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-3.23%	-2.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	1.58%	+0.51%

Volatility

DFUS vs. EQL - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) at 2.29%. This indicates that DFUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EQL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUS	EQL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	2.29%	+1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.51%	7.09%	+3.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.25%	9.47%	+3.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.31%	14.52%	+2.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.16%	16.49%	+0.67%

DFUS vs. EQL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than EQL's 0.27% 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. EQL - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than EQL's 1.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.85%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	1.34%	1.73%	1.78%	1.96%	2.14%	1.69%	2.29%	1.95%	2.39%	1.97%	2.89%	2.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUS and EQL in my portfolio?

DFUS and EQL have a correlation of 0.74, 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 EQL?

DFUS has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to EQL (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs EQL's -35.65%.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or EQL?

On 5-year performance, DFUS leads with 12.76% vs 10.87% for EQL. On fees, DFUS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFUS or EQL?

Over the 5-year period, DFUS has performed better with a 12.76% return vs 10.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or EQL?

DFUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for EQL.

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

EQL has the higher dividend yield at 1.34%, compared with 0.85% for DFUS.

What is the main difference between DFUS and EQL?

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.27% for EQL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 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.