VTWAX vs. DFAW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and DFAW (Dimensional World Equity ETF) are both Global Equities funds. VTWAX is passively managed, while DFAW is actively managed. Over the past year, VTWAX returned 30.29% vs 30.13% for DFAW. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTWAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DFAW.

Performance

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) and Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTWAX having a 13.15% return and DFAW slightly lower at 12.61%.

VTWAX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 13.15%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: 30.29%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: —

DFAW

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 12.61%
• 6M: 13.91%
• 1Y: 30.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.15%	22.43%	16.43%	11.70%
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	12.61%	20.62%	15.49%	11.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWAX and DFAW 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023	0.97

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

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTWAX	DFAW
Technology	27.8%	24.8%
Financial Services	15.9%	15.5%
Industrials	12.0%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	10.2%
Communication Services	8.3%	7.3%
Healthcare	8.1%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	5.0%
Energy	4.3%	6.0%
Basic Materials	4.2%	5.0%
Utilities	2.7%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.4%

Return for Risk

VTWAX vs. DFAW — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

DFAW

DFAW Risk / Return Rank: 74
DFAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DFAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFAW Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DFAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DFAW 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.

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) and Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW). 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.

	VTWAX	DFAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.52	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.49	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.46	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	3.41	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	15.09	-0.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the DFAW Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWAX and DFAW, 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

	VTWAX	DFAW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.52	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	1.62	-0.84

Drawdowns

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWAX drawdown since its inception was -34.20%, which is greater than DFAW's maximum drawdown of -16.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWAX and DFAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWAX	DFAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.20%	-16.93%	-17.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.64%	-8.88%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.43%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-1.70%	-3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.00%	+0.15%

Volatility

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) has a higher volatility of 3.55% compared to Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) at 3.35%. This indicates that VTWAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTWAX	DFAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.55%	3.35%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	9.39%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.37%	12.03%	+0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.71%	14.46%	+1.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.20%	14.46%	+3.74%

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAW's 0.25% 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

VTWAX vs. DFAW - Dividend Comparison

VTWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, which matches DFAW's 1.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	1.55%	1.71%	1.47%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.56%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWAX and DFAW in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VTWAX and DFAW 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, VTWAX or DFAW?

VTWAX has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to DFAW (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWAX dropped -34.20% vs DFAW's -16.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.49), 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.