DFUS vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. DFUS is actively managed, while VUG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFUS returned 22.42%/yr vs 25.93%/yr for VUG. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

DFUS vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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 higher than VUG's 9.49% return.

DFUS

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

VUG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 6.22%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 15.11%
• 10Y*: 18.26%

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

DFUS vs. VUG - 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%	11.90%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	9.49%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	15.78%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and VUG is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.94

The correlation between DFUS and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFUS vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFUS	VUG
Communication Services	23.5%	17.3%
Financial Services	20.2%	4.3%
Technology	17.4%	53.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	12.2%
Industrials	9.5%	3.6%
Energy	5.3%	0.4%
Healthcare	4.1%	4.6%
Utilities	3.0%	0.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.1%	0.6%
Real Estate	0.0%	1.0%

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. VUG — 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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 43
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	1.77	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	2.40	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.31	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	1.69	+1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.70	5.92	+8.78
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. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and VUG, 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	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	1.77	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.62	+0.17

Drawdowns

DFUS vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-50.68%	+26.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-16.53%	+7.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-22.85%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-1.51%	+0.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-7.09%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	4.71%	-2.76%

Volatility

DFUS vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is 3.07%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 3.83%. This indicates that DFUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUS	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	3.83%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.18%	12.11%	-2.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	15.84%	-3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	22.22%	-5.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	21.44%	-4.23%

DFUS vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG'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. VUG - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, more than VUG's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.83%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.37%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUS and VUG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DFUS and VUG 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 VUG?

VUG has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to DFUS (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, DFUS or VUG?

On 3-year performance, VUG leads with 25.93% vs 22.42% for DFUS. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% 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 VUG?

Over the 3-year period, VUG has performed better with a 25.93% return vs 22.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFUS or VUG?

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

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

DFUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.37% for VUG.

What is the main difference between DFUS and VUG?

DFUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for DFUS and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.77), 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.