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DFUS vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DFUS vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. DFUS is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFUS returned 13.25%/yr vs 12.36%/yr for VTI. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

DFUS vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFUS having a 10.45% return and VTI slightly lower at 10.35%.

DFUS

1D
-0.30%
1M
0.75%
YTD
10.45%
6M
9.76%
1Y
27.69%
3Y*
21.49%
5Y*
13.25%
10Y*
—

VTI

1D
-0.32%
1M
0.55%
YTD
10.35%
6M
9.59%
1Y
27.18%
3Y*
21.19%
5Y*
12.36%
10Y*
15.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFUS vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
DFUS
Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF		10.45%17.46%24.34%26.36%-18.34%12.07%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		10.35%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%10.31%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and VTI is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.00

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

1.00

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021

1.00

The correlation between DFUS and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFUS vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DFUS
VTI

Technology

37.7%
37.0%

Financial Services

11.7%
11.3%

Consumer Cyclical

10.2%
9.7%

Communication Services

10.1%
9.8%

Industrials

9.4%
9.4%

Healthcare

8.6%
9.0%

Consumer Defensive

4.4%
4.3%

Energy

3.5%
3.3%

Utilities

2.2%
2.1%

Basic Materials

2.0%
1.9%

Real Estate

0.1%
2.3%

Technology

DFUS
37.7%
VTI
37.0%

Financial Services

DFUS
11.7%
VTI
11.3%

Consumer Cyclical

DFUS
10.2%
VTI
9.7%

Communication Services

DFUS
10.1%
VTI
9.8%

Industrials

DFUS
9.4%
VTI
9.4%

Healthcare

DFUS
8.6%
VTI
9.0%

Consumer Defensive

DFUS
4.4%
VTI
4.3%

Energy

DFUS
3.5%
VTI
3.3%

Utilities

DFUS
2.2%
VTI
2.1%

Basic Materials

DFUS
2.0%
VTI
1.9%

Real Estate

DFUS
0.1%
VTI
2.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with DFUS:
DFUS vs. VOODFUS vs. SPYDFUS vs. DFUVXDFUS vs. AVUSDFUS vs. DFATDFUS vs. DFICDFUS vs. QQQ
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DFUS
DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

DFUSVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.16
2.14

+0.02

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.93
2.90

+0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.38

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.10

3.06

+0.04

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.79

13.68

+0.12

DFUS vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

DFUS vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

DFUSVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.62%

-55.45%

+30.83%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.96%

-8.92%

-0.04%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.44%

-19.30%

-0.14%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.62%

-25.36%

+0.74%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.00%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.38%

-1.48%

+0.10%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.78%

-8.01%

+2.23%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.01%

1.99%

+0.02%

Volatility

DFUS vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 4.87% and 4.74%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

DFUSVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.87%

4.74%

+0.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.07%

9.96%

+0.11%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.88%

12.76%

+0.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.27%

17.49%

-0.22%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.24%

18.35%

-1.11%

DFUS vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, less than VTI's 1.02% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DFUS
Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF		0.84%0.88%1.04%1.33%1.48%0.85%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.02%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 1.00, DFUS and VTI 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.

DFUS has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to VTI (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 5-year performance, DFUS leads with 13.25% vs 12.36% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, DFUS has performed better with a 13.25% return vs 12.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for DFUS.

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.84% for DFUS.

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.03% for VTI.

DFUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.14), 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.

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