DUSB vs. DFAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DUSB (Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DUSB returned 4.31% vs 28.49% for DFAU. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DUSB charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

DUSB vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF (DUSB) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DUSB achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly lower than DFAU's 11.32% return.

DUSB

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAU

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.93%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.49%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: —

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

DUSB vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DUSB Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF	1.68%	4.53%	5.60%	1.79%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.32%	16.78%	23.17%	11.84%

Correlation

The correlation between DUSB and DFAU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023	0.13

Return for Risk

DUSB vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DUSB

DUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
DUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
DUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 100

DFAU

DFAU Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
DFAU Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DUSB vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF (DUSB) and Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU). 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.

	DUSB	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	10.10	2.38	+7.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	24.10	3.24	+20.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	4.87	1.43	+3.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	55.00	3.30	+51.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	332.80	15.10	+317.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DUSB vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DUSB Sharpe Ratio is 10.10, which is higher than the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DUSB and DFAU, 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

	DUSB	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.10	2.38	+7.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	9.88	0.94	+8.94

Drawdowns

DUSB vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DUSB drawdown since its inception was -0.29%, smaller than the maximum DFAU drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DUSB and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DUSB	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.29%	-23.61%	+23.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.08%	-8.67%	+8.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-23.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	-0.67%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.01%	-4.99%	+4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.01%	1.89%	-1.88%

Volatility

DUSB vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF (DUSB) is 0.13%, while Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) has a volatility of 2.95%. This indicates that DUSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DUSB	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.13%	2.95%	-2.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.30%	9.04%	-8.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43%	12.06%	-11.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.52%	17.02%	-16.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.52%	16.73%	-16.21%

DUSB vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DUSB has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% 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

DUSB vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

DUSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, more than DFAU's 0.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	0.90%	0.95%	1.10%	1.29%	1.40%	1.00%	0.13%
DUSB Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF	4.06%	4.32%	4.92%	1.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DUSB and DFAU in my portfolio?

DUSB and DFAU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DUSB or DFAU?

DFAU has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to DUSB (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DUSB dropped -0.29% vs DFAU's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, DUSB or DFAU?

On 1-year performance, DFAU leads with 28.49% vs 4.31% for DUSB. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DUSB or DFAU?

Over the 1-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 28.49% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DUSB or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for DUSB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DUSB or DFAU?

DUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.06%, compared with 0.90% for DFAU.

What is the main difference between DUSB and DFAU?

DUSB is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for DUSB and 0.12% for DFAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.10 vs 2.38), 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.