ZVNBX vs. DFUS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZVNBX (Zevenbergen Growth Fund) and DFUS (Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF) are both funds - ZVNBX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Zevenbergen Capital Investments, while DFUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 3 years, ZVNBX returned 20.82%/yr vs 22.72%/yr for DFUS. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZVNBX charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for DFUS.

Performance

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) 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, ZVNBX achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly lower than DFUS's 11.74% return.

ZVNBX

• 1D: -1.77%
• 1M: 8.73%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 6M: 1.00%
• 1Y: 6.41%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 3.31%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

DFUS

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 11.52%
• 1Y: 29.16%
• 3Y*: 22.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ZVNBX Zevenbergen Growth Fund	4.04%	9.93%	34.10%	63.92%	-54.79%	-2.40%
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	11.74%	17.46%	24.34%	26.36%	-18.34%	11.90%

Correlation

The correlation between ZVNBX and DFUS is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.82

The correlation between ZVNBX and DFUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZVNBX vs. DFUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZVNBX

ZVNBX Risk / Return Rank: 5
ZVNBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ZVNBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ZVNBX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

DFUS

DFUS Risk / Return Rank: 73
DFUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
DFUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
DFUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
DFUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
DFUS Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) 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.

	ZVNBX	DFUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.30	2.40	-2.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.56	3.27	-2.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.43	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	3.27	-3.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.66	14.97	-14.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZVNBX Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is lower than the DFUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZVNBX 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

	ZVNBX	DFUS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30	2.40	-2.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.79	-0.32

Drawdowns

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZVNBX drawdown since its inception was -66.30%, which is greater than DFUS's maximum drawdown of -24.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZVNBX and DFUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZVNBX	DFUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.30%	-24.62%	-41.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-26.79%	-8.96%	-17.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.14%	-19.44%	-10.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.23%	-0.23%	-12.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.82%	-5.81%	-14.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.37%	1.95%	+8.42%

Volatility

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Volatility Comparison

Zevenbergen Growth Fund (ZVNBX) has a higher volatility of 6.23% compared to Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF (DFUS) at 3.01%. This indicates that ZVNBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZVNBX	DFUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	3.01%	+3.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.91%	9.19%	+8.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.12%	12.22%	+10.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.51%	17.21%	+18.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.37%	17.21%	+15.16%

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZVNBX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than DFUS's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZVNBX vs. DFUS - Dividend Comparison

ZVNBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, more than DFUS's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFUS Dimensional U.S. Equity Market ETF	0.83%	0.88%	1.04%	1.33%	1.48%	0.85%	0.00%
ZVNBX Zevenbergen Growth Fund	1.22%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.95%	0.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZVNBX and DFUS in my portfolio?

ZVNBX and DFUS have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZVNBX or DFUS?

ZVNBX has higher volatility (6.23%) compared to DFUS (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZVNBX dropped -66.30% vs DFUS's -24.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.30), 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.