MOTO vs. DFAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MOTO (SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF) and DFAU (Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTO is a Transportation Equities fund actively managed by Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, while DFAU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, MOTO returned 10.48%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for DFAU. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MOTO charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for DFAU.

Performance

MOTO vs. DFAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) 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, MOTO achieves a 31.51% return, which is significantly higher than DFAU's 11.32% return.

MOTO

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 8.20%
• YTD: 31.51%
• 6M: 31.39%
• 1Y: 58.32%
• 3Y*: 21.21%
• 5Y*: 10.48%
• 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)

MOTO vs. DFAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	31.51%	27.38%	2.01%	27.10%	-27.20%	17.22%	13.51%
DFAU Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF	11.32%	16.78%	23.17%	24.79%	-16.99%	26.89%	6.48%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTO and DFAU is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.86

The correlation between MOTO and DFAU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

MOTO vs. DFAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOTO	DFAU
Technology	45.6%	32.7%
Consumer Cyclical	23.5%	10.8%
Industrials	12.8%	10.4%
Communication Services	4.4%	10.4%
Basic Materials	3.8%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	4.8%
Financial Services	1.0%	12.8%
Utilities	0.7%	2.5%
Energy	-	4.6%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Real Estate	-	0.2%

Return for Risk

MOTO vs. DFAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOTO

MOTO Risk / Return Rank: 81
MOTO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
MOTO Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
MOTO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
MOTO Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
MOTO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

MOTO vs. DFAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) 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.

	MOTO	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	2.38	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	3.24	+0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.43	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.39	3.30	+1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.67	15.10	+0.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MOTO vs. DFAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTO Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is comparable to the DFAU Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTO 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

	MOTO	DFAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77	2.38	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.77	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.94	-0.22

Drawdowns

MOTO vs. DFAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTO drawdown since its inception was -38.24%, which is greater than DFAU's maximum drawdown of -23.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTO and DFAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTO	DFAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.24%	-23.61%	-14.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.36%	-8.67%	-4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.43%	-19.36%	-7.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.34%	-23.61%	-13.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.67%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.97%	-4.99%	-4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	1.89%	+1.84%

Volatility

MOTO vs. DFAU - Volatility Comparison

SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) has a higher volatility of 7.63% compared to Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (DFAU) at 2.95%. This indicates that MOTO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOTO	DFAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.63%	2.95%	+4.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.74%	9.04%	+7.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.18%	12.06%	+9.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.62%	17.02%	+6.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.30%	16.73%	+9.57%

MOTO vs. DFAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTO has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAU's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTO vs. DFAU - Dividend Comparison

MOTO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less 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%
MOTO SmartETFs Smart Transportation & Technology ETF	0.80%	1.06%	1.07%	2.73%	2.33%	0.55%	2.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOTO and DFAU in my portfolio?

MOTO and DFAU have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOTO or DFAU?

MOTO has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to DFAU (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTO dropped -38.24% vs DFAU's -23.61%.

Which ETF is better, MOTO or DFAU?

On 5-year performance, DFAU leads with 13.05% vs 10.48% for MOTO. On fees, DFAU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DFAU has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOTO or DFAU?

Over the 5-year period, DFAU has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 10.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOTO or DFAU?

DFAU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for MOTO.

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

DFAU has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.80% for MOTO.

What is the main difference between MOTO and DFAU?

MOTO is categorized as Transportation Equities, while DFAU is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Guinness Atkinson Asset Management and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for MOTO and 0.12% for DFAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MOTO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 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.