Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

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Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds? Not all Dimensional Fund Advisors are the same!  Some are very expensive and have portfolios with extreme tracking error. You don’t have to pay 1+% for a DFA Advisor. We work with Clients nationwide! I encourage you to schedule a free 2nd opinion so we can show you the details and data (book meeting below).  

We believe that adding factors like value, momentum, small cap & high profit can add diversification and incremental returns over decades!

Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds.

Integrity Investment Advisors has direct access to DFA funds (many Advisors get access through another firm like a TAMP like Loring Ward or Matson Money).  This allows us to cut out the middlemen and keep our fees low so you keep more of your money.  Our fees are 0.6% on the first $1 million and our fees decline after $1 million.  You don’t have to pay 1% or more to get access to Dimensional Funds (DFA funds) – See this webpage and get a free 2nd opinion.  We build each client a custom portfolio based on their goals, objectives and risk tolerance.  If you have $1M to $10+ with a DFA Advisor, let us show you the difference in our approach.

DFA funds are only available to institutional clients (pensions, 401(k), etc.) and through select Fee-Only Advisors. Integrity Investment Advisors, LLC is one of a small percentage of advisors to be approved to offer clients direct access to DFA funds to our clients. See our recent press release regarding our partnership with Dimensional Funds (DFA).  Please note that we have direct access to DFA funds.  Many advisors/ CPA firms go through a middleman who charges extra fees to get access to DFA.

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”. They have enhanced the 3 factor model into the 4 factor model (market factor (beta), small cap factor, value factor and direct profitability factor). DFA also uses momentum as a trading strategy.  

  • DFA vs. Vanguard, who is better?
  • Low cost DFA Advisors near me?
  • Is DFA better than Vanguard?  Dimensional Funds reviews.
  • Is Dimensional Funds better than Vanguard for long-term compounding?
  • Is DFA a fiduciary?
  • Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

Dimensional’s growing ETF suite include:

  • Eighth-largest global ETF issuer across both active and passive managers (as of May 15, 2023, Morningstar)
  • More than $10 billion in year-to-date net flows (as of May 15, 2023, Morningstar)
  • Highest net flows of any active issuer in 2022, with over $26 billion in net new assets (as of May 15, 2023, Morningstar)
  • Dimensional wins ETF issuer of the year & best new active ETF at 2023 ETF.com awards.
  • In less than three years since launching its first ETF, Dimensional has established 30 funds across equity, fixed income, and real estate strategies. Combined, these funds hold approximately $85 billion in assets under management (as of April 30, 2023, Morningstar), making the firm the largest active ETF issuer in the industry by AUM (as of April 30, 2023, Morningstar) and adding to its long-standing mutual fund and separately managed account businesses.

For the 23 years ending 12/31/22 (net of mutual fund operating expenses and gross of advisor fee).  Also see this page and get a free 2nd opinion – You don’t have to pay 1% for access to DFA Dimensional Funds

Why Dimensional Funds - DFA - Pensions and Investments

Why Dimensional Funds – DFA – Pensions and Investments http://www.pionline.com/article/20161114/INTERACTIVE/161119964/graphic-dissecting-dimensional/W


Vanguard Funds

Vanguard offers index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that track commercial benchmarks (indexes).

  • The primary objective of each Vanguard fund is to replicate the performance of a specific benchmark, such as the S&P 500 Index or the MSCI US Broad Market Index.
  • Low cost and low tracking error are important factors determining their success. Vanguard adds and subtracts companies as the indexes change.
  • For investors looking to replicate commercial benchmark returns at a very low cost, Vanguard offers a great solution. Their funds are available on a direct basis – no advisor required for access.
  • We use Vanguard for some asset classes.  Great way to get cheap market beta.
  • Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

Dimensional Funds (DFA)

Like conventional index funds offered by Vanguard, Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) seeks to capture market rates of return through broad diversification and low cost. But instead of tracking commercial benchmarks, DFA looks to target systematic risk factors (Value investing, Small cap investing, high profitability, high investment and momentum) with greater precision than Vanguard. Read the great summary below regarding the evolution of Dimensional Funds (DFA).  If you would like future updates regarding how Dimensional Funds (DFA) / factor investing may help your portfolio, Click here to subscribe to my blog

  • Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds
  • Avoiding a low tracking error mandate may provide Dimensional (DFA) with a trading advantage. By not having the same urgency to trade as index funds and actively-managed funds, DFA is positioned to be a provider of liquidity to those funds. This position of strength can result in paying lower average prices for securities.
  • DFA portfolios typically have more of a tilt toward Value and Small cap companies than the Vanguard alternative mutual fund.
  • Dimensional (DFA) also tends to be a more aggressive lender of securities, producing income that can drive costs lower than what the stated fund expense ratio implies.
  • Dimensional (DFA) offers funds on a direct basis to institutional investors or to clients of approved investment advisors
  • If you want to tilt your portfolio toward value and small cap, Dimensional (DFA) may be the better choice for you. Over longer periods of time, 10 years and more, DFA’s slight advantage may offset a portion of Advisor fees. Keep in mind that past performance is no guarantee of future results. Here is a link to DFA vs. Vanguard analysis by Equius Partners.
  • Here is the recent letter [PDF] from David Booth, Co-CEO of DFA. “Evolution of Dimensional 2013 – DFA Matrix book” highlights the major advances in portfolio management over the last 60 years. 1981 – company size, 1992 – Value Strategies, 2004 – Core Equity Strategies and 2012 – Direct Profitability.
  • Here is a link to the 2023 DFA Matrix book. See how high profit companies, value companies & smaller companies can add to decades of compounding.  See pages 11, 68, 69, 78, 79 and more – DFA matrix-book-2023_usd-us
  • Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds, Why DFA vs. Vangaurd.
  • You don’t have to pay 1%, the cheapest way to buy DFA / Dimensional funds
  • Read this article about factor investing vs. simple indexing — The Perfect Storm May Be Brewing
  • DFA Advisors near me.  DFA Financial Planners near me. Dimensional Advisors near me. Low cost Dimensional Advisors near me.
  • Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

For the do-it-yourselfer, we believe Vanguard is a very good low cost option. However, if you want more portfolio structure along the dimensions of expected returns, we believe that Dimensional (DFA) is a superior choice. If you want effective global diversification with tilts in your portfolio toward value, small cap and direct profitability, this is how Dimensional Funds (DFA) builds portfolios and trading strategies.  Most investors also need a coach to help them be objective about their money.  We hope this page provides some details regarding why Dimensional (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds.

Here is the data from DFA over the last 37 years regarding the premium expected return for 1) Market (beta) 2) small company 3) value companies and 4) companies with direct profitability.  These four factors typically account for 97% of a portfolios return in a given year.

If you have over $500k in a portfolio and want us to analyze your specific portfolio, we can give you a free second opinion, give us a call at 303-549-4720.  We will help you identify the “red flags”.

Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

 

Dimensions of Expected Returns 

Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

Dimensional Stories (DFA funds) –Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

Please see the videos below for more details about Dimensional (DFA) and how they add value to portfolio returns. At Integrity Investment Advisors, we are proud to be an approved DFA Advisor. We are low cost and a fee only fiduciary for our clients.  Let us help you do a free comparison for your current financial strategy.  Why Dimensional Funds (DFA) vs. Vanguard Funds

Dimensional Origins

Better than indexing

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You have successfully subscribed. Thank you! Here are some free resources - Video - A note from your future self - https://youtu.be/HKMYTLyhOGU 5 Free Checklists That May Save You Thousands – Really! Countless people need help in these areas. Checklists include: end of year tax planning, funding a child's college education, caring for aging parents, items to consider before you retire, critical documents to keep on file. Please like & share with family & friends. You can download the PDFs for free. https://www.integrityia.com/5-free-checklists-that-may-save-you-thousands-really/

Todd Moerman - Integrity Investment Advisors

Subscribe To OurBlog!We help Clients retire without getting killed in taxes!

Sign up for our blog to get timely and valuable information about the markets. Free checklists!  Your retirement will thank you!

You have successfully subscribed. Thank you! Here are some free resources - Video - A note from your future self - https://youtu.be/HKMYTLyhOGU 5 Free Checklists That May Save You Thousands – Really! Countless people need help in these areas. Checklists include: end of year tax planning, funding a child's college education, caring for aging parents, items to consider before you retire, critical documents to keep on file. Please like & share with family & friends. You can download the PDFs for free. https://www.integrityia.com/5-free-checklists-that-may-save-you-thousands-really/

Todd Moerman - Integrity Investment Advisors

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