FID vs. DFAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FID (First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF) and DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - FID tracks the S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index while DFAX tracks the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FID returned 17.43%/yr vs 20.90%/yr for DFAX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FID charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFAX.

Performance

FID vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FID achieves a 8.56% return, which is significantly lower than DFAX's 15.23% return.

FID

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 2.56%
• YTD: 8.56%
• 6M: 10.95%
• 1Y: 23.28%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: —

DFAX

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 3.89%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 18.11%
• 1Y: 34.96%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FID vs. DFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	8.56%	32.07%	5.42%	9.92%	-9.69%	-1.01%
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	15.23%	35.42%	4.78%	16.66%	-14.48%	-2.68%

Correlation

The correlation between FID and DFAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021	0.82

The correlation between FID and DFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

FID vs. DFAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FID	DFAX
Financial Services	20.8%	17.9%
Utilities	17.4%	4.2%
Industrials	13.5%	16.1%
Communication Services	11.5%	3.5%
Real Estate	9.4%	3.1%
Energy	8.0%	6.6%
Basic Materials	4.3%	13.2%
Technology	4.1%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	10.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	3.9%
Healthcare	3.5%	5.6%

Return for Risk

FID vs. DFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FID

FID Risk / Return Rank: 62
FID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FID Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
FID Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FID Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
FID Martin Ratio Rank: 53

DFAX

DFAX Risk / Return Rank: 68
DFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

FID vs. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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.

	FID	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.37	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	3.17	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	3.16	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.14	12.50	-3.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FID vs. DFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FID Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the DFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FID and DFAX, 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

	FID	DFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.37	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.65	-0.25

Drawdowns

FID vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FID drawdown since its inception was -39.79%, which is greater than DFAX's maximum drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FID and DFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FID	DFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.79%	-28.15%	-11.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-11.11%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.97%	-13.89%	+2.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-1.00%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.47%	-6.67%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	2.80%	-0.25%

Volatility

FID vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) is 3.00%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 5.27%. This indicates that FID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FID	DFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	5.27%	-2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.12%	12.67%	-4.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.16%	14.83%	-4.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.04%	15.99%	+1.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.96%	15.99%	+2.97%

FID vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FID has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

FID vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison

FID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.02%, more than DFAX's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF	2.22%	2.58%	2.98%	3.01%	3.30%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	4.02%	4.30%	4.31%	4.19%	4.22%	3.76%	3.91%	3.70%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FID and DFAX in my portfolio?

FID and DFAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FID or DFAX?

DFAX has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to FID (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FID dropped -39.79% vs DFAX's -28.15%.

Which ETF is better, FID or DFAX?

On 3-year performance, DFAX leads with 20.90% vs 17.43% for FID. On fees, DFAX is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, FID has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FID or DFAX?

Over the 3-year period, DFAX has performed better with a 20.90% return vs 17.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FID or DFAX?

DFAX is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FID.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FID or DFAX?

FID has the higher dividend yield at 4.02%, compared with 2.22% for DFAX.

What is the main difference between FID and DFAX?

FID tracks S&P International Dividend Aristocrats Index, while DFAX tracks MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FID and 0.30% for DFAX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.30), 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.