DFUVX vs. DFUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFUVX (DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio) and DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) are both funds - DFUVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DFUVX returned 10.84%/yr vs 13.25%/yr for DFUS. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFUVX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for DFUS.

Performance

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) and Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUVX achieves a 15.75% return, which is significantly higher than DFUS's 10.45% return.

DFUVX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.88%
• YTD: 15.75%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 31.82%
• 3Y*: 17.96%
• 5Y*: 10.84%
• 10Y*: 11.34%

DFUS

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

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

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFUVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio	15.75%	15.83%	12.87%	11.65%	-5.73%	0.02%
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	10.45%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-18.34%	12.07%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUVX and DFUS is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021	0.80

The correlation between DFUVX and DFUS shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFUVX vs. DFUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUVX

DFUVX Risk / Return Rank: 91
DFUVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DFUVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DFUVX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DFUVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFUVX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 68
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) and Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS). 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.

	DFUVX	DFUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	2.16	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.03	2.93	+1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.39	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.60	3.10	+2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.28	13.79	+6.48

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is higher than the DFUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUVX and DFUS, 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

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUVX drawdown since its inception was -65.60%, which is greater than DFUS's maximum drawdown of -24.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUVX and DFUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUVX	DFUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.60%	-24.62%	-40.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.85%	-8.96%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.04%	-19.44%	+2.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.33%	-24.62%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-1.38%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-5.78%	-4.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	2.01%	-0.40%

Volatility

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) is 3.78%, while Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that DFUVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUVX	DFUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.78%	4.87%	-1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.46%	10.07%	-1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.35%	12.88%	-1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.95%	17.27%	-1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	17.24%	+1.17%

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUVX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than DFUS's 0.09% 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

DFUVX vs. DFUS - Dividend Comparison

DFUVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, more than DFUS's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
DFUVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio	1.51%	1.31%	1.94%	5.68%	5.84%	1.77%	2.09%	5.04%	9.79%	7.99%	4.90%	8.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUVX and DFUS in my portfolio?

DFUVX and DFUS have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFUVX or DFUS?

DFUS has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to DFUVX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUVX dropped -65.60% vs DFUS's -24.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 2.16), 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.