SENT vs. DFAE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SENT (AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF) and DFAE (Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SENT is a Long-Short fund tracking the Actively Managed, while DFAE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. SENT is passively managed, while DFAE is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SENT returned -4.51%/yr vs 8.95%/yr for DFAE. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SENT charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for DFAE.

Performance

SENT vs. DFAE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF (SENT) and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

SENT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: -3.03%
• 5Y*: -4.51%
• 10Y*: —

DFAE

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 7.85%
• YTD: 26.32%
• 6M: 28.92%
• 1Y: 52.73%
• 3Y*: 23.78%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

SENT vs. DFAE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SENT AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	-6.03%	-18.25%	8.96%
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF	26.32%	31.48%	7.68%	12.63%	-17.52%	-3.18%

Correlation

The correlation between SENT and DFAE is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2021	0.43

The correlation between SENT and DFAE shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (3 years) to 0.43 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SENT vs. DFAE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SENT	DFAE
Technology	26.2%	34.8%
Healthcare	24.8%	3.5%
Industrials	14.6%	10.2%
Energy	10.3%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.1%
Financial Services	6.1%	17.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	3.3%
Basic Materials	3.0%	7.7%
Communication Services	1.9%	6.1%
Real Estate	-	1.5%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

SENT vs. DFAE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAE

DFAE Risk / Return Rank: 81
DFAE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DFAE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFAE Omega Ratio Rank: 83
DFAE Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DFAE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

SENT vs. DFAE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF (SENT) and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SENT	DFAE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.36	0.51	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.25	0.64	-0.89

Drawdowns

SENT vs. DFAE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SENT drawdown since its inception was -30.34%, smaller than the maximum DFAE drawdown of -32.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SENT and DFAE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SENT	DFAE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.34%	-32.21%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	0.00%	-12.80%	+12.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.83%	-18.12%	+2.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.34%	-32.19%	+1.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.23%	-1.25%	-25.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.90%	-10.32%	-10.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	3.30%	-3.30%

Volatility

SENT vs. DFAE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF (SENT) is 0.00%, while Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) has a volatility of 8.12%. This indicates that SENT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SENT	DFAE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	8.12%	-8.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.00%	16.53%	-16.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	18.99%	-18.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.66%	17.81%	-5.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.32%	17.84%	-4.52%

SENT vs. DFAE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SENT has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SENT vs. DFAE - Dividend Comparison

SENT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while DFAE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF	1.74%	2.20%	2.35%	2.43%	2.85%	1.63%	0.01%
SENT AdvisorShares Alpha DNA Equity Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SENT and DFAE in my portfolio?

SENT and DFAE have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SENT or DFAE?

DFAE has higher volatility (8.12%) compared to SENT (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SENT dropped -30.34% vs DFAE's -32.21%.

Which ETF is better, SENT or DFAE?

On 5-year performance, DFAE leads with 8.95% vs -4.51% for SENT. On fees, DFAE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SENT has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SENT or DFAE?

Over the 5-year period, DFAE has performed better with a 8.95% return vs -4.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SENT or DFAE?

DFAE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for SENT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SENT or DFAE?

DFAE has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.00% for SENT.

What is the main difference between SENT and DFAE?

SENT is categorized as Long-Short, while DFAE is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for SENT and 0.35% for DFAE.