DFUS vs. ZVNBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) and ZVNBX (Zevenbergen Growth Fund) are both funds - DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while ZVNBX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Zevenbergen Capital Investments. Over the past 3 years, DFUS returned 22.72%/yr vs 20.82%/yr for ZVNBX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFUS charges 0.09%/yr vs 1.30%/yr for ZVNBX.

Performance

DFUS vs. ZVNBX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUS achieves a 11.74% return, which is significantly higher than ZVNBX's 4.04% return.

DFUS

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 11.52%
• 1Y: 29.16%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZVNBX

• 1D: -1.77%
• 1M: 8.73%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 6.41%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 3.31%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

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

DFUS vs. ZVNBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	11.74%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-18.34%	11.90%
ZVNBX Zevenbergen Growth Fund	4.04%	9.93%	34.10%	63.92%	-54.79%	-2.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUS and ZVNBX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.82

The correlation between DFUS and ZVNBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFUS vs. ZVNBX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 73
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 78

ZVNBX

ZVNBX Risk / Return Rank: 5
ZVNBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ZVNBX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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. ZVNBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) and Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX). 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	ZVNBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	0.30	+2.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	0.56	+2.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.07	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	0.26	+3.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.97	0.66	+14.31
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. ZVNBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is higher than the ZVNBX Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUS and ZVNBX, 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	ZVNBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	0.30	+2.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.47	+0.32

Drawdowns

DFUS vs. ZVNBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUS drawdown since its inception was -24.62%, smaller than the maximum ZVNBX drawdown of -66.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUS and ZVNBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUS	ZVNBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.62%	-66.30%	+41.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.96%	-26.79%	+17.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-30.14%	+10.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-63.28%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-12.23%	+12.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.81%	-19.82%	+14.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	10.37%	-8.42%

Volatility

DFUS vs. ZVNBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) is 3.01%, while Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) has a volatility of 6.23%. This indicates that DFUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZVNBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUS	ZVNBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.01%	6.23%	-3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	17.91%	-8.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	23.12%	-10.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	35.51%	-18.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	32.37%	-15.16%

DFUS vs. ZVNBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ZVNBX's 1.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFUS vs. ZVNBX - Dividend Comparison

DFUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, less than ZVNBX's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.83%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%	0.00%
ZVNBX Zevenbergen Growth Fund	1.22%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.95%	0.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUS and ZVNBX in my portfolio?

DFUS and ZVNBX have a correlation of 0.81, 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 ZVNBX?

ZVNBX has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to DFUS (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUS dropped -24.62% vs ZVNBX's -66.30%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.30), 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.