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DFARvsFRELETF Comparison
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) belong to the same industry segment: US Real Estate. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: and Real Estate. DFAR is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.2%, versus 0.08% for FREL. DFAR is up 8.25% year-to-date (YTD) with +$68M in YTD flows. FREL performs worse with 5.82% YTD performance, and +$226M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of DFAR and FREL below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
DFAR vs FREL performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | DFAR FREL | +2.73%+1.12% | +8.95%+6.38% | +8.25%+5.82% | +7.21%+6.33% | +26.66%+26.40% | n/a+27.50% |
| Flows | DFAR FREL | +$10M-$3M | +$111M+$239M | +$68M+$226M | +$254M+$331M | +$874M-$213K | -+$126M |
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | DFAR FREL | +12.06%+11.75% | +16.20%+16.41% | +17.54%+17.30% | n/a+18.87% |
| Max drawdown | DFAR FREL | -3.63%-3.47% | -12.27%-12.43% | -17.73%-17.46% | n/a-34.35% |
| Max drawdown duration | DFAR FREL | 17d21d | 79d79d | 514d441d | n/a1527d |
DFAR | FREL | |
Last sale 3/11/2026 at 1:30 PM | $24.55 | $28.11 |
| Previous close 03/10/2026 | $24.81 | $28.42 |
| Consolidated volume 03/10/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
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DFAR | FREL | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
DFAR | FREL | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $24.55 | $28.11 |
| 1D performance | -1.03% | -1.09% |
| AuM | $1.62 B | $1.38 B |
| E/R | 0.2% | 0.08% |
DFAR | FREL | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | Dimensional | Fidelity |
| Benchmark | - | MSCI USA IMI Real Estate 25/25 Index |
| N° of holdings | 121 | 116 |
| Asset class | - | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | February 23, 2022 | February 2, 2015 |
| ESG | No | No |
Countries
Sectors
Diversification
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Top 15 holdings
How have the DFAR and FREL ETFs performed in 2026?
As of March 9, 2026, DFAR is up 8.25% year-to-date (YTD), while FREL has returned 5.82%. That puts DFAR better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: DFAR or FREL?
Year-to-date, the DFAR ETF saw +$68M in flows, compared to +$226M for FREL.
Which ETF is more volatile: DFAR or FREL?
Over the past year, DFAR had a volatility of 16.2%, while FREL experienced 16.41%.
Which ETF is bigger: DFAR or FREL?
As of March 9, 2026, DFAR holds $1.62 B in assets under management (AUM), while FREL manages $1.38 B.
What sectors do the DFAR and FREL ETFs invest in?
DFAR leans toward sectors like Real Estate. Meanwhile, FREL focuses on Real Estate.
What are the top holdings of the DFAR ETF and FREL ETF?
DFAR top holdings include WELLTOWER INC, PROLOGIS REIT and AMERICAN TOWER CL A REIT. FREL holds in its top three: PROLOGIS REIT, WELLTOWER INC and AMERICAN TOWER CL A REIT.
Which ETF is more diversified: DFAR or FREL?
DFAR holds 121 securities with 58.83% of its assets in the top 15. FREL has 130 securities and a top 15 weight of 56.79%.
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