DFUV vs. DFALX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

DFUV (Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF) and DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) are both funds - DFUV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFALX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 3 years, DFUV returned 18.68%/yr vs 17.50%/yr for DFALX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFUV charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFALX.

Performance

DFUV vs. DFALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (DFUV) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUV achieves a 16.05% return, which is significantly higher than DFALX's 7.88% return.

DFUV

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 2.84%
• YTD: 16.05%
• 6M: 17.87%
• 1Y: 32.93%
• 3Y*: 18.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFALX

• 1D: -2.41%
• 1M: -1.66%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 10.41%
• 1Y: 22.50%
• 3Y*: 17.50%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 9.57%

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

DFUV vs. DFALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFUV Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF	16.05%	15.77%	11.79%	13.25%	-0.71%
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	7.88%	33.60%	4.55%	17.88%	-0.68%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUV and DFALX is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 9, 2022	0.75

The correlation between DFUV and DFALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFUV vs. DFALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUV

DFUV Risk / Return Rank: 90
DFUV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DFUV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFUV Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DFUV Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DFUV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

DFALX

DFALX Risk / Return Rank: 35
DFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
DFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
DFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

DFUV vs. DFALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (DFUV) and DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX). 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.

	DFUV	DFALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.78	1.61	+1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	2.25	+1.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.29	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.51	2.15	+3.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.90	8.36	+11.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFUV vs. DFALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUV Sharpe Ratio is 2.78, which is higher than the DFALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUV and DFALX, 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

	DFUV	DFALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.78	1.61	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.37	+0.51

Drawdowns

DFUV vs. DFALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUV drawdown since its inception was -17.60%, smaller than the maximum DFALX drawdown of -59.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUV and DFALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUV	DFALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.60%	-59.76%	+42.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.01%	-10.70%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.60%	-13.11%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.52%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.58%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-2.74%	+1.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-12.00%	+8.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.66%	2.74%	-1.08%

Volatility

DFUV vs. DFALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (DFUV) is 3.39%, while DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) has a volatility of 4.21%. This indicates that DFUV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUV	DFALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.39%	4.21%	-0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.69%	11.69%	-3.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.93%	14.29%	-2.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	15.71%	+0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	16.19%	+0.06%

DFUV vs. DFALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUV has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than DFALX's 0.18% 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

DFUV vs. DFALX - Dividend Comparison

DFUV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than DFALX's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	2.80%	2.89%	3.18%	3.24%	2.86%	3.00%	1.88%	2.88%	3.07%	2.55%	2.89%	2.94%
DFUV Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF	1.36%	1.55%	1.64%	1.72%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUV and DFALX in my portfolio?

DFUV and DFALX 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, DFUV or DFALX?

DFALX has higher volatility (4.21%) compared to DFUV (3.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUV dropped -17.60% vs DFALX's -59.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 1.61), 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.