What does the expense ratio mean for these ETFs?

The expense ratio represents the annual fee investors pay to fund management, reflected in the fund's returns. For DFAI, this fee is 0.18%, while for DFIC, it stands at 0.22%. This means that for every £10,000 invested, the cost for DFAI would be £18 annually, and for DFIC, it would be £22. The lower expense ratio of DFAI is typically preferred as it implies less erosion on potential returns, although the exact performance impact depends on other market factors. Both funds' fees highlight the importance of considering cost structures in investment decisions. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

How do these ETFs differ in tracking international markets?

DFAI and DFIC both invest in diversified international portfolios but differ in their approaches. DFAI does not provide a clear index tracking mechanism, which makes it suitable for active management strategies where fund managers select stocks based on their research. On the other hand, DFIC is linked to Dimensional's active factor investing heritage, potentially aiming for specific factors such as value or size. The lack of explicit index tracking for DFAI and the alignment with active strategies for DFIC highlight the difference in their exposure to global markets. Both fund types aim to diversify the international equity portfolio but use different methods. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

How do the top holdings compare between these two ETFs?

Both ETFs share ASML in their top-10 holdings. DFAI lists ASML at a 1.61% holding weight, whereas DFIC holds ASML at 1.03%. While ASML is a significant holding for both funds, DFIC also includes additional top holdings like SHEL at 1.02% and BBVA at 0.47%, providing a broader distribution in its top positions. This comparison reveals how each ETF manages its portfolio concentration, with DFAI showing a higher reliance on ASML relative to DFIC. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

What does the dividend yield mean and how does it compare?

The dividend yield shows the annual dividend income as a percentage of the ETF's price. DFAI offers a dividend yield of 2.28%, while DFIC presents a slightly higher yield of 2.34%. This means that for every £10,000 invested, an investor in DFAI would receive about £228 in dividends annually, and a DFIC investor would receive approximately £234. The higher yield of DFIC could be appealing to income-focused investors, but differences in yields are small, and dividend amounts can vary. These distributions do not guarantee future returns or fund performance. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

How do the asset bases impact these ETFs?

Asset base plays a crucial role in determining liquidity and trading conditions for ETFs. DFAI has a massive net asset value of $18 billion, which generally supports tighter bid-ask spreads and higher trading liquidity. Conversely, DFIC has a smaller net asset value of $15.4 billion, which could lead to slightly wider trading spreads. While both funds possess considerable size, the larger asset base of DFAI may make it more attractive for investors looking for ease of trading. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

What is the importance of inception dates in ETF comparisons?

Inception dates are critical when assessing an ETF's historical performance and operational consistency. DFAI began on November 17, 2020, providing a longer track record of three years compared to DFIC, which started on March 23, 2022. Having a longer track record allows investors to better understand how DFAI has performed over multiple market cycles. DFIC's shorter history means there are fewer data points to analyse its effectiveness under various economic conditions. Both ETFs' inception dates offer a perspective on the available information for making comparisons.

What are the key categories of these ETFs?

DFAI and DFIC are both classified under the Foreign Large Blend category, indicating that they invest in a wide range of large-capitalisation international stocks. The Foreign Large Blend classification means that these funds cover various industries and market segments outside of the domestic economy, focusing on international markets. This category does not specify particular sectors or styles, reflecting the diversified nature of these funds. Investors seeking exposure to large, established international companies often turn to this fund type. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

How do the sector weights of these ETFs compare?

Sector weights reveal how diversified an ETF's portfolio is across different economic sectors, such as technology, healthcare, or financials. In this instance, specific sector weights for both DFAI and DFIC are not available. This lack of data prevents a detailed comparison of how these funds are allocated across sectors. Investors should note that while sector diversification is an important consideration, the absence of sector weight information requires relying on other metrics or fund disclosures. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

What does the fund's issuer imply for investors?

The issuer of an ETF can provide clues about management style and reliability. DFAI, managed by ARK, might cause confusion for investors expecting consistency from the Dimensional brand. In contrast, DFIC is issued by Dimensional, aligning with the known factor investing heritage and management practices. This issuer difference can impact investor perceptions and expectations regarding management quality and the fund’s operational consistency. Investors often consider the reputation and track record of an issuer when choosing an ETF. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

Which fund might be more suitable for cost-conscious investors?

Cost-conscious investors often look for lower expense ratios as they reduce the cost of holding the fund over time. DFAI has a lower expense ratio of 0.18% compared to DFIC's 0.22%. Over several years, the slight cost difference between these two funds can result in noticeable savings, particularly for larger investments. When comparing fees, investors should also consider other factors such as performance consistency and fund structure to determine overall value. Mentions: DFAI, DFIC.

DFAI vs DFIC

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare DFAI and DFIC, two international equity funds. This page examines their fees, holdings, dividends and market tracking methods. DFAI has a 0.18% expense ratio while DFIC charges 0.22%. Both invest in diversified international portfolios. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

DFAI

Metric

DFIC

0.18%

Expense Ratio

0.22%

2.28%

Dividend Yield

2.34%

$17.96B

Net Assets

$15.42B

3,675

Holdings

4,090

Nov 17, 2020

Inception Date

Mar 23, 2022

–

Index Tracked

–

Foreign Large Blend

Fund Category

Foreign Large Blend

DFAI costs about $4.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	DFAI	DFIC
ASMLASML Holding N.V.	1.61%	1.03%

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DFAI vs DFIV

Compare DFAI and DFIV. Review 0.18% vs 0.27% fees, 2.28% vs 2.57% yields, and holdings. Note missing index data and sector weights for international equity.

AVDE vs DFIC

Compare AVDE and DFIC on fees, holdings, dividends and tracking. AVDE has 0.23% expense, 2.74% yield. DFIC has 0.22% expense, 2.34% yield. See differences.

Investment Analysis

DFAI

Pros

Lower expense ratio of 0.18 percent reduces drag on returns compared with DFIC
Massive $18 billion asset base supports tight bid-ask spreads and high liquidity
Established track record with a Nov 2020 inception date offering three years of history

Considerations

Issuer listed as ARK may confuse investors expecting Dimensional management consistency
Trades at a higher dividend yield of 2.28 percent which is marginally lower than DFIC
Top holding concentration in ASML at 1.61 percent exceeds DFIC's 1.03 percent weighting

DFIC

Pros

Issuer Dimensional aligns with the strategy's active factor investing heritage and reputation
Higher dividend yield of 2.34 percent provides marginally greater income potential than DFAI
More diversified top holdings including SHEL and BBVA reduce single-stock concentration risk

Considerations

Elevated expense ratio of 0.22 percent increases costs relative to DFAI's 0.18 percent fee
Shorter track record with a Mar 2022 inception date limits historical data availability
Smaller $15.4 billion asset base may result in slightly wider trading spreads

About DFAI and DFIC

DFAI (DFAI)

The Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) provides investors with exposure to large and mid-capitalisation companies in developed markets outside the United States. As an exchange-traded fund, it aims to offer broad diversification across the international equity landscape, potentially capturing growth opportunities in established global economies. With a low expense ratio of 0.18%, DFAI seeks to be a cost-efficient vehicle for gaining access to international stock markets. The fund holds over 3,600 stocks, reflecting a comprehensive approach to diversification. It launched in November 2020 and currently manages approximately USD 17.96 billion in net assets. Investors should note that while the fund has a historical dividend yield of 2.28%, values can fluctuate, and past performance does not guarantee future results. This ETF suits those looking to broaden their portfolio's geographic mix beyond domestic markets, though it carries inherent risks associated with foreign investment, including currency fluctuations.

DFIC (DFIC)

The Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide broad exposure to developed international markets. With a Foreign Large Blend category classification, it holds a diverse array of large and mid-sized companies from regions including Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. Investors might consider this fund for its low expense ratio of 0.22%, which helps keep costs down over time. The fund features a dividend yield of 2.34% and holds approximately 4,090 securities, offering significant diversification. As with any investment in international equities, values can rise and fall due to economic conditions, currency fluctuations, and local market trends. This ETF is generally suited for those seeking to balance domestic holdings with global exposure, though individual suitability should always be assessed carefully.

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DFAI vs DFIC

Fund Snapshot

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DFAI vs DFIV

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Investment Analysis

DFAI

Pros

Considerations

DFIC

Pros

Considerations

About DFAI and DFIC

Buy DFAI or DFIC in Nemo

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Trusted & Regulated

6% Interest on Cash

Frequently asked questions

What does the expense ratio mean for these ETFs?

How do these ETFs differ in tracking international markets?

How do the top holdings compare between these two ETFs?

What does the dividend yield mean and how does it compare?

How do the asset bases impact these ETFs?

What is the importance of inception dates in ETF comparisons?

What are the key categories of these ETFs?

How do the sector weights of these ETFs compare?

What does the fund's issuer imply for investors?

Which fund might be more suitable for cost-conscious investors?

Fund Snapshot

About DFAI and DFIC

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DFAI vs DFIV

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