Dimensional vs. Vanguard (2024)

I recently met the Managing Partner of an international law firm.

He explained he often avoids talking about his profession at social events.

Inevitably, when people discover he's a top lawyer, they deluge him with questions...

It's a scenario I understand well...

When people learn I work in finance, often the next question is: “Can I ask your opinion about my pension” or “So what are your thoughts on the current stock market performance?"

Of course, I love what I do and sharing my thoughts on the world of finance.

The next question is one I am asked even more often.

Surprisingly, not so much by the top executives and business owners who I tend to look after but much more by the new investor, DIYer and smaller clients and hobbyists.

So I thought I'd discuss the question, and my answer, here to share with you all.

Which fund is better, Dimensional or Vanguard?

Both are great, have strengths and weaknesses, and are better than what 99% of international investors are invested in.

If I could wave a wand and move all the trillions of dollars sat languishing in low-interest deposit accounts with banks, toxic structured products or poorly performing active funds portfolios - to either of these, I would.

Pick either one and you’ll likely have made a good choice.

However, there's a deeper explanation I'd like to get into to better explain how they are individually set up to capture returns.

There may be some industry jargon along the way (which I usually try to avoid) but I promise to do my best to simplify it...

What are their differences?

The main differences between Vanguard and Dimensional Fund Advisors’ index funds are:

1. They use different indexes

2. They have different charging structures

3. They have a different approach to fund management

Vanguard has more than 60 unique funds to choose from and each fund tracks an index in a bond or stock market.

The firm is owned by its fund shareholders, meaning it’s essentially a non-profit.

As a result, the average Vanguard index fund expense ratio is very low (82% lower than the average mutual fund).

Dimensional (DFA) on the other hand, doesn’t simply track an index (lagging it by tracking error and the small cost), they custom design their funds to try and capture risk factors - such as company size and value - to maximise expected dimensions of return for their clients.

They “tilt” their portfolios: this means they have an investment strategy that attempts to enjoy better fund returns by having a heavier weighting of certain stocks that have historically delivered higher returns than the stock market.

In the case of DFA, they tilt towards small-cap stocks and value stocks.

Small cap is a term used to classify companies with a relatively small market capitalisation - between $300 million and $2 billion.

A value stock is considered to be trading at a lower price relative to its fundamentals - like dividends, earnings and sales.

It is considered undervalued by a value investor.

DFA says they have other advantages over traditional index funds like Vanguard’s too.

For example, when a new stock enters an index, a traditional index fund has to add it all at once, and this can push the price up before the purchase is completed.

But because DFA is working to characteristics not names, they build their portfolios differently.

In theory, this means they can avoid a cost bump that pure stock-list-following index funds can experience.

According to Andrew Hallam writing for Asset Builder:

“[DFA] also built [their funds] by the characteristics of each stock, rather than duplicating an index that roughly identified a characteristic.

These funds cost more than traditional index funds, but their back-tested studies said the cost would be worth it.”

Which brings me to my next point…

Costs vs. returns

By actively weighting a portfolio to try and capture greater gains, DFA’s index funds require a slightly more systematic management which means investors pay more.

Such an active-passive approach is called ‘smart beta’ in the industry.

Andrew Hallam says:

“DFA’s funds have beaten the broad U.S. market. But that’s to be expected because DFA tilts its funds towards value and small cap stocks.

The S&P 500 gained a total of 122% from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2015. U.S. value stocks gained 167%. U.S. small cap stocks gained 318%”.

Jared Kizer of Buckingham Wealth Partners compared Dimensional and Vanguard fund performance between October 1999 and June 2018 by crafting three equally weighted portfolios covering U.S. Equity, International Equity and Emerging Markets Equity.

Overall, the Dimensional Fund portfolios produced both higher compound returns and risk-adjusted returns compared to the Vanguard market-capitalisation-weighted portfolios over the years.

More specifically, the international and emerging market Dimensional Funds have performed more consistently compared to the U.S. funds.

However, there have been some time periods where the Vanguard portfolios outperformed the DFA portfolios.

Dimensional vs. Vanguard (1)


Every DFA U.S. equity fund that existed when the new millennium began has since outgained the S&P 500.

That is a record unmatched by any rival fund company.

The research shows that for a long-term investment strategy, representative funds from Dimensional have outperformed on a relative basis against Vanguard.

In the table below, we compare a select group of popular Vanguard index mutual funds that track major asset classes. The chart shows the annual return of equivalent Dimensional and Vanguard funds from 2000 until March 2021.

Dimensional vs. Vanguard (2)


Across large value stocks, the difference in return is negligible.

However, it's in the small-cap and value-focused funds that Dimensional excels.

Leading academics like Eugene Fama and Kenneth French (who are also on the Board of DFA) believe that favouring value stocks comes with higher expected returns over time.

As mentioned earlier, in nearly all asset classes, DFA is more heavily weighted to smaller-sized stocks (which historically outperform large caps over the long term) than Vanguard.

Dimensional's funds also favour value-style stocks, which have produced greater returns on average than growth-oriented stocks.

So what's the verdict?

Pick either Dimensional or Vanguard and you won’t go too far wrong.

As the picture below shows, most of the world are still invested in traditional active assets or worse (in red).

Passive Index funds are better (in blue) as they lag the market by cost and tracking error.

Systematically or evidence-based portfolios represent a credible opportunity to capture higher expected returns (the green distribution) via tilts.

Dimensional vs. Vanguard (3)

However, there is a far more critical factor that can make all the difference to your returns.

And that's who you choose as your lifetime financial partner.

According to IFA.com:

“Knowledgeable, evidence-based advisers help maximise investor success, because they provide the critical discipline needed to combat emotional, reflex reactions - like pulling out of the market the way so many did in late 2008, early 2009, or in 2011.

Evidence-based or systematic advisers not only help to manage an investor's emotions, they serve as fiduciary stewards of their clients' wealth.”

In other words, choose Vanguard, choose DFA, or choose a different ETF altogether - but choose to work with a chartered evidence-based fiduciary with a strong, documented investment philosophy if you want the returns that are right for you. This is because:

  1. They help you stay invested by managing your emotions and behavioural biases
  2. They rebalance you through market turbulence
  3. They help choose the investments that are right for you and your life plan not the latest fad.

So, Dimensional or Vanguard?

It depends on you, your personal circ*mstances, goals and financial situation.

The financial world can be murky, full of complexities and nuances that are difficult to navigate alone.

A professional, certified fiduciary is perhaps best suited to help those with a high degree of complexity, a limited amount of time, substantial capital and ambition to maximise not only their return on investments but also their return on life.

My team's on hand whenever you're ready.

Dimensional vs. Vanguard (4)

Dimensional vs. Vanguard (2024)

FAQs

Is Dimensional better than Vanguard? ›

Vanguard may be a good choice if you're seeking a low-cost, passive investing strategy, while Dimensional Fund Advisors may be a better fit if you're looking for a more active, evidence-based approach.

Do DFA funds outperform? ›

The previous two decades are noteworthy because while stocks have done reasonably well despite numerous setbacks, we have not seen overwhelming small cap and value return premiums. Yet DFA funds have almost all outperformed their specific indexes and the broad market indexes.

What is the best 3 fund portfolio allocation? ›

3 Fund portfolio asset allocation

The most common way to set up a three-fund portfolio is with: An 80/20 portfolio i.e. 64% U.S. stocks, 16% International stocks and 20% bonds (aggressive) An equal portfolio i.e. 33% U.S. stocks, 33% International stocks and 33% bonds (moderate)

What is the 3 fund rule? ›

A three-fund portfolio isn't complex. It just means choosing one representative fund to include in your portfolio from the domestic stock, international stock and bond categories. These funds can all belong to the same family or come from different mutual fund companies.

Who is Vanguard's largest competitor? ›

Vanguard's competitors and similar companies include Franklin Templeton, Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, TIAA, BlackRock and Edward Jones.

Who is Vanguard best for? ›

As a broker, Vanguard is best suited for long-term or retirement savers, investors who prefer low-cost investment vehicles, and investors who prefer investing in index funds via mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

What is the average return of dimensional fund advisors? ›

As of May 6, 2022, Morningstar shows Dimensional Fund Advisors Small Cap Value Fund (DFSVX) averaged 6.69% annual returns, lagging the 9.04% performance of Vanguard's Total Stock Fund (VTSAX). That translates to 164% cumulative growth for the Dimensional fund and 266% for the Vanguard fund.

Why DFA funds are superior? ›

DFA funds are no-load (commission-free), low cost, very diversified, and tax-efficient. They provide a much broader and deeper coverage of the global markets than other mutual funds. DFA currently manages about $600+ Billion in assets. DFA funds focus on “factor investing”.

Why invest in Dimensional funds? ›

Based on an investment strategy grounded in Nobel Prize-winning economic theory, Dimensional helps you grow your money reliably in a selection of broadly diversified portfolios.

What is the safest portfolio allocation? ›

The percentage of your portfolio that should be allocated to safe investments depends on your individual financial situation, investment goals and risk tolerance. As a general rule of thumb, some financial experts suggest allocating around 10% to 20% of your portfolio to safe investments.

How many funds is too many in a portfolio? ›

Ideally, 6 to 8 funds are good enough to build your MF portfolio. As the size of the portfolio increases, you may invest in a maximum of 10 funds to reduce the risk of being overdependent on any particular fund or fund house. However, the funds you are investing in are across equity, debt and hybrid categories.

What is the portfolio allocation of Warren Buffett? ›

The Warren Buffett ETF Portfolio (90/10) is an investment strategy inspired by the investment philosophy of Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. The strategy involves allocating 90% of the portfolio to low-cost, passively managed S&P 500 index ETFs, and 10% to government bonds.

What is Rule 72 Millionaire? ›

The rule of 72 is a simple way to calculate how long it will take for an investment to double. All you need to do is divide 72 by the annual rate of return. For example, if you're earning a 6% annual return, it will take 72/6, or 12 years, for your investment to double.

What is the 90% rule for mutual funds? ›

The 90/10 rule in investing is a comment made by Warren Buffett regarding asset allocation. The rule stipulates investing 90% of one's investment capital towards low-cost stock-based index funds and the remainder 10% to short-term government bonds.

What is the fund 80% rule? ›

As adopted in 2001, the Names Rule requires a fund with a name that suggests investment in certain types of investments, industries, countries, or geographical regions to adopt an 80% Policy to invest, under normal circ*mstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for ...

What is Vanguard's very big problem? ›

One of the biggest asset managers in the world, Vanguard's business strategy makes it a major driver of climate destruction and environmental racism. It is one of the largest global investors in coal, oil, and gas and it's also a top investor in polluting industries close to home.

What is the fastest growing Vanguard? ›

The fastest growing fund managed by U.S. asset management company Vanguard is the Vanguard Energy Index Fund. Over the year to January 16, 2023, the ETF generated an annual return of 44.19 percent.
...
Fund name (ticker)One year return
--
8 more rows
Apr 27, 2023

Who is better Vanguard or Fidelity? ›

In fact, Fidelity is our overall pick for the best online broker in 2022, so it is very hard to beat. All that said, Vanguard still offers some of the lowest-cost funds in the industry and will appeal to buy-and-hold investors, retirement savers, and investors who want access to professional advice.

Do millionaires use Vanguard? ›

The median household in the study has over $1 million with Vanguard and those below the median have assets outside of Vanguard (i.e. real estate, non-Vanguard accounts, etc.) that make most of them millionaires as well.

Who is the main enemy in Vanguard? ›

Untersturmführer Hermann Wenzel Freisinger is a character featured in Call of Duty: Vanguard serving as the main antagonist of the game.

What happens if Vanguard goes bust? ›

Vanguard is paid by the funds to provide administration and other services. If Vanguard ever did go bankrupt, the funds would not be affected and would simply hire another firm to provide these services.

Can I buy Dimensional funds without an advisor? ›

If you wish to purchase shares without the help of a financial advisor, please contact your brokerage firm for more information. For additional questions, you can contact us at (512) 306-4488.

Who are the competitors of Dimensional funds? ›

Dimensional is in the industry of: Investment Banking, Finance What is Dimensional competition? Dimensional top competitors include: Loomis Sayles & Co, Lord, Abbett & Co LLC, The TCW Group Inc, Bridgewater Associates LP What companies has Dimensional acquired?

What is Vanguard's average rate of return? ›

Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
...
100% Equity.
Average annual return10.29%
Years with a loss26 of 94
2 more rows

Why is it so hard to book an appointment in DFA? ›

Booking an appointment online has been extra tricky lately, as the DFA reports that the number of slots available across the country were almost cut in half during the pandemic. Five new sites for passport appointments have been opened up, but those only operate till September.

Who owns DFA funds? ›

Why regular funds are better than direct funds? ›

One of the key distinctions between them is that regular mutual funds (MFs) have a distribution commission while direct mutual funds do not. This makes the expense ratio higher for regular funds. The expense ratio is the fund's total expenses to its assets under management (AUM).

What is Dimensional funds known for? ›

Founded in 1981, Dimensional has a long history of applying academic research to practical investing. We offer a full range of equity and fixed income strategies designed to target higher expected returns.

What rank is Dimensional Fund Advisors? ›

1 in Barron's 'Best Fund Families of 2022′ Barron's has named Dimensional Fund Advisors No. 1 in the outlet's “Best Fund Families of 2022” list.

Are Dimensional funds active or passive? ›

Dimensional's systematic investment approach combines a passive philosophy with active implementation.

What is the #1 safest investment? ›

High-quality bonds and fixed-indexed annuities are often considered the safest investments with the highest returns. However, there are many different types of bond funds and annuities, each with risks and rewards. For example, government bonds are generally more stable than corporate bonds based on past performance.

What should a 60 year old asset allocation be? ›

At age 60–69, consider a moderate portfolio (60% stock, 35% bonds, 5% cash/cash investments); 70–79, moderately conservative (40% stock, 50% bonds, 10% cash/cash investments); 80 and above, conservative (20% stock, 50% bonds, 30% cash/cash investments).

What should the asset allocation be for a 65 year old? ›

For most retirees, investment advisors recommend low-risk asset allocations around the following proportions:
  • Age 65 – 70: 40% – 50% of your portfolio.
  • Age 70 – 75: 50% – 60% of your portfolio.
  • Age 75+: 60% – 70% of your portfolio, with an emphasis on cash-like products like certificates of deposit.
5 days ago

Is it OK to have 100% stocks in my portfolio? ›

The main argument advanced by proponents of a 100% equities strategy is simple and straightforward: In the long run, equities outperform bonds and cash; therefore, allocating your entire portfolio to stocks will maximize your returns.

Is 10% cash too much in a portfolio? ›

A general rule of thumb for how much of your investment portfolio should be cash or cash equivalents range from 2% to 10%, although this very much depends on your individual circ*mstances.

What is the 120 rule for portfolio? ›

The Rule of 120 (previously known as the Rule of 100) says that subtracting your age from 120 will give you an idea of the weight percentage for equities in your portfolio. The remaining percentage should be in more conservative, fixed-income products like bonds.

What is the ideal number of stocks to have in a portfolio? ›

Between 20 and 60 stocks

This is the ideal number of stocks to own. A number between this range will offer optimal diversification and, at the same, be easy to manage and monitor. As discussed above, different investments are expected to perform differently at a given time.

What is Rule #1 in investing according to Warren Buffett? ›

Rule 1: Never lose money.

This is considered by many to be Buffett's most important rule and is the foundation of his investment philosophy.

What do most investors hold diversified portfolios? ›

In terms of stock investing, a diversified portfolio would contain 20-30 (or more) different stocks across many industries. But a diversified portfolio could also contain other assets – bonds, funds, real estate, CDs and even savings accounts.

What is Rule 69 in investment? ›

The Rule of 69 is used to estimate the amount of time it will take for an investment to double, assuming continuously compounded interest. The calculation is to divide 69 by the rate of return for an investment and then add 0.35 to the result.

What is the rule of 69 investing? ›

The Rule of 69 is a simple calculation to estimate the time needed for an investment to double if you know the interest rate and if the interest is compound. For example, if a real estate investor can earn twenty percent on an investment, they divide 69 by the 20 percent return and add 0.35 to the result.

What is the rule of 21 in investing? ›

The theory is that if the PE ratio plus inflation is less than 21, then the market still represents value, whereas if this value exceeds 21, the market is becoming expensive.

What if I invest $5,000 in mutual funds for 10 years? ›

Calculation of SIP returns

To understand this, let us take an example. A monthly investment of Rs 5,000 for 10 years at an expected rate of return of 12 per cent will earn you Rs 11.61 lakh. The gains made by you in this scenario will be approximately Rs 5.61 lakh (Rs 11.61 lakh minus 5000*10*12).

What if I invest $10,000 every month in mutual funds? ›

10,000 in mutual funds can generate substantial returns over a long investment period. The returns will be dependent on various factors like the choice of fund, market trends, and the performance of the particular scheme.

What is the 3 5 10 rule fund of funds? ›

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act limits the amount an acquiring fund can invest in an acquired fund to 3% of the outstanding voting stock of the acquired fund, 5% of the value of the acquiring fund's total assets in any one other acquired fund, and 10% of the value of the acquiring fund's total assets in all other ...

What is Rule 70 for mutual fund? ›

The rule of 70 is used to determine the number of years it takes for a variable to double by dividing the number 70 by the variable's growth rate. The rule of 70 is generally used to determine how long it would take for an investment to double given the annual rate of return.

What is the 5% rule mutual fund? ›

In investment, the five percent rule is a philosophy that says an investor should not allocate more than five percent of their portfolio funds into one security or investment. The rule also referred to as FINRA 5% policy, applies to transactions like riskless transactions and proceed sales.

What is the 8% rule investing? ›

To make money in stocks, you must protect the money you have. Live to invest another day by following this simple rule: Always sell a stock it if falls 7%-8% below what you paid for it. No questions asked. This basic principle helps you cap your potential downside.

What is the performance of Dimensional funds? ›

As of May 6, 2022, Morningstar shows Dimensional Fund Advisors Small Cap Value Fund (DFSVX) averaged 6.69% annual returns, lagging the 9.04% performance of Vanguard's Total Stock Fund (VTSAX). That translates to 164% cumulative growth for the Dimensional fund and 266% for the Vanguard fund.

Is Vanguard still worth it? ›

Call of Duty Vanguard isn't a must-pick in 2023, but may suit a portion of the player base. Currently available to play on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, Vanguard features intriguing World War II scenes that veteran fans have appreciated, but these may still not be enough to make it a worthwhile experience.

Why is Vanguard so popular? ›

Leader in low-cost funds: The company has a solid reputation for the well-below-average expense ratios on its index funds and exchange-traded funds. For long-term investors looking to pair a buy-and-hold strategy with the lowest-cost offerings, it's hard to beat the service and selection found with Vanguard.

Is Vanguard worth using? ›

Vanguard is a superb choice for anyone looking to get into the investing game, especially those who wish to invest in mutual funds, index funds or ETFs. Many employers in the US also use Vanguard for their empower-sponsored plans.

What is the best performing fund in the world? ›

Top 10 Performing Funds in 2022
FundAnalyst RatingCategory
Ruffer Total Return Intl USD CapBronzeUSD Flexible Allocation
JPM Latin America EquityNeutralLatin America Equity
Winton Diversified UCITSNeutralMultistrategy EUR
Man GLG Japan CoreAlphaNeutralJapan Large-Cap Equity
6 more rows
Jan 5, 2023

Why use dimensional funds? ›

DFA funds are no-load (commission-free), low cost, very diversified, and tax-efficient. They provide a much broader and deeper coverage of the global markets than other mutual funds. DFA currently manages about $600+ Billion in assets. DFA funds focus on “factor investing”.

Why invest in dimensional funds? ›

Based on an investment strategy grounded in Nobel Prize-winning economic theory, Dimensional helps you grow your money reliably in a selection of broadly diversified portfolios.

Is it safe to keep all money at Vanguard? ›

Money market funds and other securities held in the Vanguard Brokerage Account are eligible for SIPC coverage. Securities in your brokerage account are protected up to $500,000. To learn more, visit the SIPC's website. Up to $250,000 by FDIC insurance.

Do Vanguard funds outperform? ›

Over the past 10 years, 94% of our actively managed funds performed better than their peer-group averages. * And when our funds outperform, you have the opportunity to earn more.

What is the average return on Vanguard funds? ›

Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
...
100% Equity.
Average annual return10.29%
Years with a loss26 of 94
2 more rows

Is Vanguard or Fidelity better? ›

Bottom Line. Overall, Vanguard and Fidelity are both great choices for those interested in investing. They offer a wide range of investment options, low costs, and hands-off or active management depending on your preference. When it comes to index funds, Vanguard is hard to beat, with hundreds of low-cost options.

Which Vanguard fund has the highest return? ›

The fastest growing fund managed by U.S. asset management company Vanguard is the Vanguard Energy Index Fund. Over the year to January 16, 2023, the ETF generated an annual return of 44.19 percent.

Why are Vanguard funds so cheap? ›

Vanguard's unique cost structure, the economies of scale it has achieved, and the total number of assets under management (AUM) allow it to offer its ETFs at the lowest cost available in the market. We've listed 10 of the firm's cheapest ETFs by their expense ratio.

What are the negatives of cod Vanguard? ›

The Cons of Call of Duty: Vanguard's Engine

Many did not like the system, as most argued that it promoted camping. While being able to peek, open, destroy, and shoot through doors did add a new layer to gameplay, many felt it was unnecessary and put those that like to rush at a major disadvantage.

How much does Vanguard charge for withdrawal? ›

Vanguard charges $0 for withdrawal. The withdrawal process is usually executed within 2 days. Vanguard is a reliable broker, regulated by at least one top-tier regulator.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5678

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.