What is the primary difference between DFIV and VXUS?

DFIV is a Dimensional International Value ETF focused on foreign large value stocks, with a 0.27% expense ratio and $22.2 billion in net assets. VXUS is a Vanguard Total International Stock ETF tracking foreign large blend equities, featuring a lower 0.05% expense ratio and $164.0 billion in assets. The key distinction lies in their investment strategies: DFIV targets value-oriented international stocks, while VXUS offers broader market exposure.

Why do expense ratios differ between international ETFs like DFIV and VXUS?

Expense ratios vary based on strategy and operational complexity. DFIV's 0.27% fee reflects its active management approach to identify international value stocks, requiring more resources than VXUS's passive 0.05% fee, which replicates a broad market index with minimal trading. Larger funds like VXUS, with $164.0 billion in assets, benefit from economies of scale, further reducing costs compared to smaller funds like DFIV.

What do inception dates indicate about DFIV and VXUS?

DFIV has a much longer track record, having been launched in 1999, while VXUS was established in 2011. This suggests DFIV has undergone more market cycles, potentially offering more data on its value strategy's resilience. However, VXUS, despite its shorter life, benefits from Vanguard's extensive global indexing infrastructure, focusing on broad international market coverage from its inception.

How do holdings like Shell and BP in DFIV illustrate its value focus?

DFIV's 3.34% position in Shell and 0.98% in BP highlight its tilt towards established, often undervalued sectors like energy. These holdings align with a value strategy, which seeks out companies trading below their perceived intrinsic worth. While specific sector weights for DFIV are not available, its top holdings suggest a different investment thesis than a fund tracking a broader international market.

What does the dividend yield difference between DFIV and VXUS suggest?

DFIV's 2.57% yield versus VXUS's 2.28% may reflect the characteristics of value-oriented stocks, which often have higher payout ratios. This difference suggests DFIV might provide slightly more income. However, yields are just one metric; investors should also consider the fund's strategy and how those income streams align with their overall portfolio, as yields can fluctuate over time.

Is there any overlap between DFIV and VXUS holdings?

According to the provided data, there are no shared top ten holdings between DFIV and VXUS. DFIV's disclosed top holdings include Shell and BP, whereas VXUS's specific top holdings are not available. This lack of overlap underscores that DFIV's targeted value approach results in a different portfolio composition compared to VXUS's broad international market blend strategy.

How does net asset size influence ETF liquidity and operations?

VXUS commands $164.0 billion in net assets, offering significant liquidity and potentially tighter bid-ask spreads due to its size. DFIV's $22.2 billion, while reasonable for a smaller fund, suggests less trading volume. Larger asset bases often support lower operational costs, which can help keep expense ratios competitive, as seen in the cost difference between the two funds.

What does the 'Foreign Large Value' category tell us about DFIV?

This category indicates DFIV targets large companies outside the United States that appear undervalued relative to their fundamentals. This strategy aims to exploit price inefficiencies in established international markets. While the specific index DFIV tracks is not available, its classification clarifies its focus on seeking value opportunities within the foreign large-cap universe, distinct from broad market approaches.

How do value and blend strategies impact international market exposure?

Value strategies like DFIV's focus on potentially undervalued companies, which might include sectors like energy as seen with Shell. Blend strategies like VXUS aim for a mix of value and growth, providing more diversified market-cap and style exposure. The specific index for VXUS is not available, but its Foreign Large Blend classification suggests it captures a wider slice of the international market.

Why might investors compare DFIV and VXUS despite different strategies?

Investors might compare them when deciding between targeted value exposure and broad international diversification. The differing expense ratios (0.27% vs. 0.05%) and dividend yields (2.57% vs. 2.28%) become key considerations alongside the underlying strategy. This comparison helps assess the potential trade-off between a higher-fee value tilt and a lower-cost, comprehensive international market blend, using their specific financial data.

What information gaps should investors note when reading this comparison?

Critical data is missing for both funds: the specific indices they track are not available, and sector weights cannot be assessed. This limits the ability to fully understand their diversification or exact benchmark adherence. Investors should be aware that conclusions about style drift or sector concentration, particularly for DFIV's energy holdings, cannot be verified without complete data, highlighting a constraint in the analysis.

DFIV vs VXUS

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

This page compares the Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) and the Total International Stock Vanguard ETF (VXUS). We examine fees, holdings, dividends and how each fund tracks its market, noting that DFIV has an expense ratio of 0.27% while VXUS charges 0.05%. These details help illustrate the different approaches to international value versus broad market investing. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

DFIV

Metric

VXUS

0.27%

Expense Ratio

0.05%

2.57%

Dividend Yield

2.28%

$22.16B

Net Assets

$164.04B

609

Holdings

8,860

Apr 16, 1999

Inception Date

Jan 26, 2011

–

Index Tracked

–

Foreign Large Value

Fund Category

Foreign Large Blend

VXUS costs about $22.00 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

The fund has grown to$22.2 billion in net assets, suggesting reasonable size for ETF operations.
Its 2.57% dividend yield may attract investors seeking higher income from international markets.
As a long-established vehicle since1999, it offers a lengthy track record for investors.

Considerations

Its 0.27% expense ratio is materially higher than comparable international equity ETFs.
Portfolio holdings show concentration in energy stocks like Shell at 3.34% and BP at 0.98%.
Sector weight data is currently unavailable, hindering assessment of diversification.

VXUS

Pros

With a low 0.05% expense ratio, it is one of the most affordable ways to access international stocks.
It commands an enormous$164.0 billion in net assets, providing excellent liquidity and scale.
Its inception in 2011 reflects a broad, market-cap-weighted international equity approach widely used in portfolios.

Considerations

Details of the fund's top holdings are not available in the provided data.
Like the first fund, specific sector weight information cannot be accessed for comparison.
Its 2.28% dividend yield is lower than the yield offered by the value-focused alternative.

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About DFIV and VXUS

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.

VXUS (VXUS)

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) offers investors broad exposure to non‑US equities across developed and emerging markets. The fund tracks a global index that excludes the United States and holds thousands of stocks spanning large-, mid- and small-cap companies. It is structured as a passive, market‑capitalisation‑weighted ETF, which aims to replicate international equity market performance while keeping trading simplicity and diversification benefits. VXUS is typically unhedged to sterling or other home currencies, so returns can be affected by currency movements as well as underlying stock performance. Investors should note that, like all equity funds, values can fall as well as rise and past performance does not guarantee future results. This summary provides general, educational information and is not personalised investment advice; suitability depends on an individual’s circumstances, risk tolerance and investment horizon.

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DFIV vs VXUS

Fund Snapshot