SHUS vs. DFUS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SHUS (Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF) and DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SHUS is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by Syntax Advisors, while DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SHUS returned 17.10% vs 28.63% for DFUS. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SHUS charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for DFUS.

Performance

SHUS vs. DFUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (SHUS) and Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SHUS achieves a 8.58% return, which is significantly lower than DFUS's 11.25% return.

SHUS

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 8.58%
• 6M: 8.70%
• 1Y: 17.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFUS

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.19%
• 1Y: 28.63%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SHUS vs. DFUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SHUS Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF	8.58%	10.89%	-2.65%
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	11.25%	17.46%	2.85%

Correlation

The correlation between SHUS and DFUS is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2024	0.76

The correlation between SHUS and DFUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

SHUS vs. DFUS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SHUS	DFUS
Technology	17.8%	17.4%
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	13.0%
Consumer Defensive	12.1%	2.6%
Healthcare	11.8%	4.1%
Industrials	10.5%	9.5%
Financial Services	10.4%	20.2%
Energy	6.4%	5.3%
Communication Services	6.2%	23.5%
Utilities	5.9%	3.0%
Real Estate	3.4%	0.0%
Basic Materials	2.6%	1.1%

Return for Risk

SHUS vs. DFUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SHUS

SHUS Risk / Return Rank: 51
SHUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SHUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
SHUS Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SHUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SHUS Martin Ratio Rank: 52

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 69
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SHUS vs. DFUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (SHUS) and Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS). 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.

	SHUS	DFUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.35	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	3.22	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.42	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.21	-0.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.81	14.70	-5.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SHUS vs. DFUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SHUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the DFUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SHUS and DFUS, 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

	SHUS	DFUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.35	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.79	+0.01

Drawdowns

SHUS vs. DFUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SHUS drawdown since its inception was -14.09%, smaller than the maximum DFUS drawdown of -24.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SHUS and DFUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SHUS	DFUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.09%	-24.62%	+10.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.95%	-8.96%	+2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.66%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.65%	-5.82%	+3.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.95%	-0.01%

Volatility

SHUS vs. DFUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (SHUS) is 2.31%, while Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) has a volatility of 3.07%. This indicates that SHUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SHUS	DFUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	3.07%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.06%	9.18%	-2.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.01%	12.23%	-2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.61%	17.21%	-4.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.61%	17.21%	-4.60%

SHUS vs. DFUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SHUS has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than DFUS's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SHUS vs. DFUS - Dividend Comparison

SHUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than DFUS's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.83%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%
SHUS Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF	1.27%	1.37%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SHUS and DFUS in my portfolio?

SHUS and DFUS have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SHUS or DFUS?

DFUS has higher volatility (3.07%) compared to SHUS (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SHUS dropped -14.09% vs DFUS's -24.62%.

Which ETF is better, SHUS or DFUS?

On 1-year performance, DFUS leads with 28.63% vs 17.10% for SHUS. On fees, DFUS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SHUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SHUS or DFUS?

Over the 1-year period, DFUS has performed better with a 28.63% return vs 17.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SHUS or DFUS?

DFUS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SHUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SHUS or DFUS?

SHUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.83% for DFUS.

What is the main difference between SHUS and DFUS?

SHUS is categorized as Hedge Fund, while DFUS is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: Syntax Advisors and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SHUS and 0.09% for DFUS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 1.72), 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.