VEU vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US Index, while DFAI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. VEU is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VEU returned 8.67%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for DFAI. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VEU charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

VEU vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEU achieves a 14.60% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 9.16% return.

VEU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 5.07%
• YTD: 14.60%
• 6M: 17.34%
• 1Y: 32.37%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: 9.94%

DFAI

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 24.65%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

VEU vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	14.60%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	6.36%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.16%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	6.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VEU and DFAI is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.97

The correlation between VEU and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEU vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEU	DFAI
Financial Services	23.3%	22.5%
Technology	18.5%	9.3%
Industrials	15.7%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.2%	8.6%
Basic Materials	7.1%	8.8%
Healthcare	7.1%	8.8%
Energy	5.2%	6.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	6.4%
Communication Services	4.6%	3.7%
Utilities	3.2%	4.0%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.5%

Return for Risk

VEU vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEU

VEU Risk / Return Rank: 60
VEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VEU Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VEU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VEU vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	VEU	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.76	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.49	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.32	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	2.26	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.06	8.87	+2.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEU vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEU Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEU and DFAI, 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

	VEU	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	1.76	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.59	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.78	-0.53

Drawdowns

VEU vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEU drawdown since its inception was -61.52%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEU and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEU	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.52%	-27.44%	-34.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-10.95%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-13.25%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.31%	-27.44%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-1.61%	+0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.13%	-5.12%	-8.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	2.79%	+0.14%

Volatility

VEU vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a higher volatility of 5.59% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.45%. This indicates that VEU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEU	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.59%	4.45%	+1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.04%	11.68%	+1.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.29%	14.08%	+1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.07%	15.92%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	15.70%	+1.51%

VEU vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEU has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEU vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

VEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than DFAI's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.26%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.61%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEU and DFAI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VEU and DFAI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEU or DFAI?

VEU has higher volatility (5.59%) compared to DFAI (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEU dropped -61.52% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, VEU or DFAI?

On 5-year performance, DFAI leads with 9.36% vs 8.67% for VEU. On fees, VEU is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEU or DFAI?

Over the 5-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 9.36% return vs 8.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEU or DFAI?

VEU is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for DFAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEU or DFAI?

VEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 2.26% for DFAI.

What is the main difference between VEU and DFAI?

VEU is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while DFAI is Global Equities. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VEU and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.76), 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.