FID vs. DFIV

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

FID (First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF) and DFIV (Dimensional International Value ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. FID is passively managed, while DFIV is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FID returned 18.63%/yr vs 23.98%/yr for DFIV. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FID charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFIV.

Performance

FID vs. DFIV - 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 International Value ETF (DFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FID achieves a 12.42% return, which is significantly lower than DFIV's 17.19% return.

FID

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 4.50%
• 6M: 6.00%
• YTD: 12.42%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 18.63%
• 5Y*: 9.12%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.80%

DFIV

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 3.70%
• 6M: 7.63%
• YTD: 17.19%
• 1Y: 35.97%
• 3Y*: 23.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.17%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	$82.01M	$69.92M	$68.23M
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	$225.62K	$252.05K	$347.70K

FID vs. DFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	12.42%	32.07%	5.42%	9.92%	-9.69%	-0.30%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	17.19%	45.36%	7.26%	17.75%	-3.70%	0.50%

Correlation

The correlation between FID and DFIV is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2021	0.82

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

FID vs. DFIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FID	DFIV
Financial Services	20.5%	34.3%
Utilities	16.9%	2.3%
Industrials	12.8%	9.8%
Communication Services	10.7%	4.0%
Real Estate	9.4%	1.7%
Energy	7.9%	14.1%
Technology	6.2%	3.1%
Basic Materials	4.6%	10.5%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	5.2%
Healthcare	3.5%	5.4%

Return for Risk

FID vs. DFIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FID

FID Risk / Return Rank: 72
FID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FID Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FID Omega Ratio Rank: 80
FID Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
FID Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DFIV

DFIV Risk / Return Rank: 90
DFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FID vs. DFIV - 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 International Value ETF (DFIV). 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.

	FID	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.61	-0.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	3.56	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.47	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	3.74	-1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.01	14.50	-6.49

FID vs. DFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FID Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the DFIV Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FID and DFIV, 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

FID vs. DFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FID drawdown since its inception was -39.79%, which is greater than DFIV's maximum drawdown of -25.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FID and DFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FID	DFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.79%	-25.42%	-14.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-9.66%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.61%	-14.72%	+5.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.03%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.32%	-4.36%	-3.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	2.49%	+0.15%

Volatility

FID vs. DFIV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF (FID) is 2.52%, while Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that FID experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FID	DFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.52%	3.48%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.50%	11.48%	-2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.12%	13.84%	-3.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	16.53%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.81%	16.53%	+2.28%

FID vs. DFIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FID has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIV's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

FID vs. DFIV - Dividend Comparison

FID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.03%, more than DFIV's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	2.57%	2.92%	3.88%	3.93%	3.84%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FID First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats ETF	4.03%	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 DFIV in my portfolio?

FID and DFIV 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 DFIV?

DFIV has higher volatility (3.48%) compared to FID (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FID dropped -39.79% vs DFIV's -25.42%.

Which ETF is better, FID or DFIV?

On 3-year performance, DFIV leads with 23.98% vs 18.63% for FID. On fees, DFIV is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, FID has been the lower-risk option at 2.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FID or DFIV?

Over the 3-year period, DFIV has performed better with a 23.98% return vs 18.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FID or DFIV?

DFIV is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FID.

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

FID has the higher dividend yield at 4.03%, compared with 2.57% for DFIV.

What is the main difference between FID and DFIV?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FID and 0.27% for DFIV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.09), 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.