DFAEvsAAXJETF Comparison
VS
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) belongs to the EM Blended Cap segment. iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan ETF (AAXJ) is part of the Global Blended Cap segment. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Discretionary. DFAE is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.35%, versus 0.72% for AAXJ. DFAE is up 18.79% year-to-date (YTD) with +$575M in YTD flows. AAXJ performs better with 26.2% YTD performance, and +$24M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of DFAE and AAXJ below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
Find out how industry players manage ETF portfolios. Discover our library of Model portfolios
DFAE vs AAXJ performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 06/11/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | DFAE AAXJ | -3.06%+3.22% | +9.88%+20.64% | +18.79%+26.20% | +38.33%+47.23% | +74.38%+84.52% | +45.84%+36.64% |
| Flows | DFAE AAXJ | +$183M-$241M | +$251M-$422M | +$575M+$24M | +$1.15B+$48M | +$3.67B-$637M | +$5.99B-$2.90B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | DFAE AAXJ | +25.23%+30.49% | +18.14%+20.50% | +15.67%+17.65% | +15.89%+18.34% |
| Max drawdown | DFAE AAXJ | -7.07%-9.77% | -12.69%-13.32% | -16.33%-18.08% | -31.59%-40.48% |
| Max drawdown duration | DFAE AAXJ | 27d10d | 53d55d | 245d241d | 1199d1533d |
Trading data
DFAE | AAXJ | |
Last sale 6/12/2026 at 1:30 PM | $40.07 | $117.76 |
| Previous close 06/11/2026 | $39.88 | $117.22 |
| Consolidated volume 06/11/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of May 29, 2026
1-year trailing difference
Create an account to view replication metrics
Join for free
DFAE
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexDFAE | AAXJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
Advertisement
Main metrics
Last update 6/12/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
DFAE | AAXJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $40.07 | $117.76 |
| 1D performance | +0.48% | +0.46% |
| AuM | $9.35 B | $3.92 B |
| E/R | 0.35% | 0.72% |
Characteristics
DFAE | AAXJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | Dimensional | iShares |
| Benchmark | - | MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index |
| N° of holdings | 2121 | 832 |
| Asset class | - | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | February 12, 2020 | August 13, 2008 |
| ESG | No | No |
Advertisement
Exposure
Countries
DFAE
Taiwan
22.8%
Republic of Korea
16.47%
Cayman Islands
8.58%
China
7.15%
Other
45%
AAXJ
Taiwan
27.53%
Republic of Korea
21.1%
India
13.51%
Cayman Islands
13.34%
China
11.38%
Other
13.14%
Sectors
DFAE
Information Techn.
30.57%
Financials
11.85%
Other
57.58%
AAXJ
Information Techn.
41.46%
Financials
16.74%
Consumer Discreti.
9.64%
Industrials
7.38%
Other
24.78%
Advertisement
Diversification
DFAE
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
30.22%
AAXJ
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
43.48%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of April 30, 2026
DFAE
TWN SEMICONT MAN
12.63%
SAMSUNG ELECTR
4.38%
SK HYNIX
3.53%
TENCENT HOLDINGS
2.66%
ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
1.39%
DELTA ELECTRONIC
0.88%
CHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK
0.79%
MEDIATEK INC
0.69%
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY
0.54%
PINDUODUO INC ADR
0.50%
US01609W1027
0.45%
HYUNDAI MOTOR
0.45%
INDUSTRIAL COMMERC BK CHINA
0.45%
PING AN
0.44%
US45104G1040
0.43%
AAXJ
TWN SEMICONT MAN
16.04%
SAMSUNG ELECTR
6.79%
SK HYNIX
4.57%
TENCENT HOLDINGS
3.69%
ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
2.67%
DELTA ELECTRONIC
1.29%
MEDIATEK INC
1.22%
AIA
1.09%
CHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK
1.04%
DBS GROUP HOLDINGS
0.93%
HDFC BANK
0.89%
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES
0.89%
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY
0.84%
SAMSUNG ELEC-1P PRF
0.84%
US0669224778
0.70%
Frequently asked questions about DFAE and AAXJ
How have the DFAE and AAXJ ETFs performed in 2026?
As of June 11, 2026, DFAE is up 18.79% year-to-date (YTD), while AAXJ has returned 26.2%. That puts AAXJ better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: DFAE or AAXJ?
Year-to-date, the DFAE ETF saw +$575M in flows, compared to +$24M for AAXJ.
Which ETF is more volatile: DFAE or AAXJ?
Over the past year, DFAE had a volatility of 18.14%, while AAXJ experienced 20.5%.
Which ETF is bigger: DFAE or AAXJ?
As of June 11, 2026, DFAE holds $9.35 B in assets under management (AUM), while AAXJ manages $3.92 B.
What sectors do the DFAE and AAXJ ETFs invest in?
DFAE leans toward sectors like Information Technology and Financials. Meanwhile, AAXJ focuses on Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Discretionary.
What are the top holdings of the DFAE ETF and AAXJ ETF?
DFAE top holdings include TWN SEMICONT MAN, SAMSUNG ELECTR and SK HYNIX. AAXJ holds in its top three: TWN SEMICONT MAN, SAMSUNG ELECTR and SK HYNIX.
Which ETF is more diversified: DFAE or AAXJ?
DFAE holds 2191 securities with 30.22% of its assets in the top 15. AAXJ has 906 securities and a top 15 weight of 43.48%.
Advertisement
Latest news about DFAE & AAXJ
Advertisement
