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DFA vs. Vanguard

 

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We are often asked which mutual funds we recommend in various asset classes.  After applying our stringent selection criteria, it usually comes down to Vanguard and DFA mutual funds.

For more information on The Vanguard Group, see here.

For more information on Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), see here.

While Vanguard’s funds are among the very best available (principally due to their extremely low fees), some funds from DFA are, in many ways, superior.

The table below compares DFA funds with Vanguard funds in each of several asset classes.  For each asset class, DFA’s fund is listed along with Vanguard’s fund.  Each entry includes the fund name, NASDAQ symbol, and expense ratio.  For each asset class, there is also a brief analysis of the relevant differences between the two offerings.  Within each asset class, we tried to assess which offering is “better” – DFA’s or Vanguard’s (or any other fund).  We have highlighted the preferred fund in each case by bolding and italicizing its information.

Note that “better” refers to our expectation of which fund will be a better holding in the long term.  In making such a determination, we take into account not only expected long-term performance, but also long-term expected risk/volatility and any trading restrictions imposed by the funds.  For more information on the criteria we use to judge mutual funds, see here.

Asset Class

DFA

Vanguard

Analysis
Money Market N/A

Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund (VMMXX)

E/R: 0.29%

DFA does not have an offering in this asset class.

Another fine choice would be the TIAA-CREF Money Market Fund (TIAXX).  It has an E/R of 0.23%.
Short Term US Bonds DFA Five-Year Government Portfolio (DFFGX)

E/R: 0.23%

Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund (VFSTX)

E/R: 0.21%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.
Short Term Global Bonds

DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX)

E/R: 0.28%

or

DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGFX)

E/R: 0.18%

 N/A Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here. 

For those who do not have access to DFA, we suggest the Paydenfunds Global Short Bond Fund (PYGSX), E/R = 0.52%.

Short Term Tax-Exempt Bonds

DFA Short-Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFSMX)

E/R: 0.23%

Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund (VMLTX)

E/R: 0.16%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Inflation-Protected Securities

DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (DIPSX)

E/R: 0.20%

Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund (VIPSX)

E/R: 0.20%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our top choice here is the SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF (IPE).  It has an expense ratio of 0.18%
Balanced Funds     See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Large Cap

DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFELX)

E/R: 0.25%

or

DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFLCX)

E/R: 0.15%

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 ETF (MGC)

E/R: 0.13%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Tax-Managed Large Cap

DFA Tax-Managed US Equity (DTMEX)

E/R: 0.22%

Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund (VMCAX)

E/R: 0.14%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

The DFA fund isn't really a "large-cap" fund — it is an all-market fund.  For that reason (and because VMCAX has restrictive redemption fees), our top choice here is the Bridgeway Blue Chip 35 Index Fund (BRLIX).  It has an expense ratio of 0.15%.

Large Cap Value

DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio (DFLVX)

E/R: 0.27%

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value ETF (MGV)

E/R: 0.13%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our first choice here is the Rydex S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (RPV).  It has an E/R of 0.35%.

Tax-Managed Large Cap Value

DFA Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio (DTMMX)

E/R: 0.37%

N/A

Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our first choice here is the Rydex S&P 500 Pure Value ETF (RPV).  It has an E/R of 0.35%.

Small Cap

DFA U.S. Microcap Portfolio (DFSCX)

E/R: 0.53%

Vanguard Small Cap Index Fund ETF Shares (VB)

E/R: 0.10%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our first choice here is the Bridgeway Ultra-Small Company Market Fund (BRSIX).  It has an E/R of 0.65%.

Tax-Managed Small Cap

DFA Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (DFTSX)

E/R: 0.53%

Vanguard Tax-Managed Small Cap Fund (VTMSX)

E/R: 0.13%

 See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our first choice here is the iShares Microcap Index Fund (IWC).  It has an E/R of 0.60%.

Small Cap Value

DFA U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio (DFSVX)

E/R: 0.52%

Vanguard Small Cap Value Index Fund ETF shares (VBR)

E/R: 0.11%

 See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our first choice here is the Rydex S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Value ETF (RZV).  It has an E/R of 0.35%.

Tax-Managed Small Cap Value

DFA Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (DTMVX)

E/R: 0.45%

N/A

Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Foreign Developed Markets Large Cap

DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX)

E/R: 0.29%

Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA)

E/R: 0.12%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Tax-Managed Foreign Developed Markets Large Cap

N/A

Vanguard Europe Pacific ETF (VEA)

E/R: 0.12%

 DFA does not have an offering in this asset class.

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Foreign Developed Markets Large Cap Value

DFA International Value Portfolio (DFIVX)

E/R: 0.44%

Vanguard International Value Fund (VTRIX)

E/R: 0.41%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Tax-Managed Foreign Developed Markets Large Cap Value

DFA Tax-Managed International Value Portfolio (DTMIX)

E/R: 0.54%

N/A

Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Foreign Developed Market Small Cap

DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX)

E/R: 0.55%

Vanguard International Explorer Fund (VINEX)

E/R: 0.44%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Foreign Developed Market Small Cap Value

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (DISVX)

E/R: 0.69%

N/A

Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

Foreign Emerging Market Large Cap

DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio (DFEMX)

E/R: 0.60%

Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund ETF Shares (VWO)

E/R: 0.25%

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Foreign Emerging Market Large Cap Value

DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (DFEVX)

E/R: 0.60%

N/A

Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

Foreign Emerging Market Small Cap

DFA Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio (DEMSX)

E/R: 0.78%

N/A

Vanguard does not have an offering in this asset class.

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.
US Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFREX)

E/R: 0.33%

Vanguard REIT Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ)

E/R: 0.12%

 See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.
Foreign REITs DFA International Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFITX)

E/R: 0.56

 N/A See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Commodity Futures

 N/A N/A

Neither Vanguard nor DFA has an offering here. 

See our detailed discussion of the leading options for this asset class here.

Our preference here is the PIMCO CommodityRealReturn Strategy Fund Institutional Shares (PCRIX).  E/R: 0.74%.

Bottom Line

bulletIf you are managing your investments yourself, then you don't have access to DFA funds and we would therefore be primarily recommending Vanguard funds.  If you diligently follow a well thought out investment plan, the Vanguard funds will serve you quite well.  In particular, for those doing it themselves, we might strongly recommend one of Vanguard's balanced funds, in particular, one of their "Target Retirement" funds could serve as an "all-in-one" complete investment portfolio (i.e., for you to put all your money in).
 
bulletIf you are having your assets professionally managed, we would recommend "best-in-class" investments in each asset class.  Our current preferences for each asset class are listed in the table above.
 
bulletFor assistance in making the decision as to whether or not you should hire an investment advisor, see here.

The information contained herein has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed.  No investor should invest solely on the basis of information listed here.  Before investing, it is important to consult each prospective investment's prospectus and consider both its risk/return characteristics and its effect on your overall portfolio.

 

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