How do the expense ratios for DFIV and VEA compare?

DFIV has an expense ratio of 0.27%, while VEA charges 0.03%. This difference means VEA is less costly on an annual basis. The gap reflects DFIV's active management approach versus VEA's passive indexing strategy. Higher expenses typically imply higher manager fees for stock selection or rebalancing.

How do net assets impact the trading experience?

DFIV holds $22.2 billion in net assets, indicating a moderate size, whereas VEA boasts $233.8 billion. Larger asset bases often correlate with deeper liquidity and potentially narrower bid-ask spreads. Traders may observe fewer transaction costs when buying or selling within the same day on larger funds.

What are the key similarities and differences in fund categories?

DFIV falls under the Foreign Large Value category, targeting established companies with lower relative valuations. In contrast, VEA is classified as Foreign Large Blend, offering broader market representation without specific valuation or growth tilts. These differing styles result in unique portfolios, making direct comparison nuanced.

How are the top holdings different for these funds?

DFIV lists SHEL (3.34%) and BP (0.98%) among its top holdings, highlighting a concentration in specific sectors. VEA's top holding is SHOP (0.54%), which is widely distributed across a large blend portfolio. Notably, there are no shared top-10 holdings listed among these specific funds, showing distinct portfolio construction methods.

What do the dividend yields reveal about income potential?

DFIV offers a 2.57% dividend yield, while VEA provides a 2.35% yield. Although DFIV yields slightly more due to its value focus, both funds distribute periodic income based on their portfolio holdings. Dividend amounts vary depending on the underlying securities and declared payouts.

How should investors interpret sector weight disclosures?

Neither DFIV nor VEA provides sector weights, limiting direct industry exposure comparisons. This absence makes it challenging to determine how much each fund contributes to financial, energy, technology, or other specific segments. Investors may rely on the overall fund strategies and top holdings to infer sector concentration.

What do the inception dates indicate about fund histories?

DFIV was launched in April 1999, while VEA began trading in July 2007. DFIV has experienced a longer history, including multiple global market cycles. However, the additional years do not directly correlate with current performance or structure.

What is the practical impact of expense ratios over time?

The 0.24 percentage point expense ratio gap translates to $240 in annual costs for a $100,000 investment over the long term. Since fund expenses reduce returns, consistent annual costs accumulate as a drag on portfolio value, making cost efficiency a practical factor.

How do DFIV and VEA differ in portfolio management?

DFIV charges 0.27% for its active management, suggesting a strategy that relies on selective stock analysis to potentially outperform. VEA, at 0.03%, mirrors a passive index strategy that aims to replicate its benchmark without active stock selection.

What are the main considerations when comparing international exposure?

Both DFIV and VEA provide developed markets international equities, though the index each tracks is not specified in the data. Investors should review the funds' category classifications and asset sizes when deciding how they fit into a global portfolio.

DFIV vs VEA

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

Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) offer distinct approaches to international equities. This page compares their expense ratios of 0.27% and 0.03% respectively, alongside their holdings and dividend yields. Explore how each fund tracks its respective market. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

DFIV

Metric

VEA

0.27%

Expense Ratio

0.03%

2.57%

Dividend Yield

2.35%

$22.16B

Net Assets

$233.81B

609

Holdings

3,922

Apr 16, 1999

Inception Date

Jul 20, 2007

–

Index Tracked

–

Foreign Large Value

Fund Category

Foreign Large Blend

VEA costs about $24.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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Investment Analysis

DFIV

Pros

Dimensional International Value ETF charges a 0.27 percent expense ratio, reflecting its active management approach.
With $22.2 billion in net assets, DFIV offers a relatively modest but established presence among value-focused international funds.
DFIV delivers a 2.57 percent dividend yield, slightly higher than VEA, due to its tilt toward mature, dividend-paying companies.

Considerations

DFIV does not disclose an official benchmark index or sector weights, making it difficult to assess style drift and concentration.
Its relatively high expense ratio of 0.27 percent adds cost compared to passive peers with much lower fees.
Fund inception in April 1999 means performance records span various market cycles but may lack recent full transparency on portfolio turnover.

VEA

Pros

VEA has a very low expense ratio of 0.03 percent, making it highly cost-effective for passive international exposure.
With $233.8 billion in net assets, VEA benefits from exceptional liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads for large trades.
It offers a 2.35 percent dividend yield, providing solid income within a broad, market-cap-weighted developed markets strategy.

Considerations

VEA’s holdings, such as Shopify at 0.54 percent, reflect a large blend approach without a specific value or growth tilt.
Lack of disclosed sector weights and an explicit index methodology complicates direct comparison to active peers like DFIV.
Its 2007 inception date means the ETF has experienced major market events, but some investors may prefer longer track records.

About DFIV and VEA

DFIV (DFIV)

The Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) offers investors exposure to developed and emerging markets outside the United States and Canada. This fund focuses on companies in international markets that appear to be trading at lower valuations relative to their peers, often referred to as 'value' stocks. By investing in a diversified basket of hundreds of holdings, DFIV aims to capture the potential long-term returns associated with the value investment style while spreading risk across various sectors and regions. It provides a way to diversify a portfolio beyond domestic assets. However, international investing carries unique risks, including currency fluctuations and geopolitical events. The fund’s expense ratio is moderate, and it may distribute income. As with any investment, values can rise and fall, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

VEA (VEA)

The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is an exchange-traded fund designed to provide investors with broad exposure to large and mid-capitalisation companies in developed markets outside the United States. It seeks to track a benchmark index comprising thousands of holdings from regions including Europe, Australasia, and Canada. With a low expense ratio of 0.03%, this fund offers a cost-effective way to diversify a portfolio beyond domestic UK and US equities. The fund’s current dividend yield stands at 2.35%, reflecting potential income generation from its global holdings. As with any investment, the value of units can go down as well as up, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and financial goals carefully, noting that currency fluctuations and regional economic shifts may impact returns.

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DFIV vs VEA

Fund Snapshot