Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) Performance
DFAW total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +13.1% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +16.5% total return
- 3 years
- +21.9% a year
- Since first price
- +20.2% a year since 2023
DFAW trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | DFAW total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.1% | −1.1% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +1.2% | +0.9% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +5.4% | +4.6% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +13.1% | +12.0% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +16.5% | +14.5% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +81.0%+21.9%/yr | +72.6% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionSep 27, 2023 | +75.8%+20.2%/yr | +67.6% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: DFAW vs SPY
From Sep 27, 2023: DFAW grew to $17,578, SPY to $18,496.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
DFAW returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2025 (+20.6%), worst 2024 (+15.5%). 2026 is year to date.
DFAW annual returns table
| Year | DFAW | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +13.1% | −8.9% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +20.6% | −16.8% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +15.5% | −7.9% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
DFAW largest drawdowns
Now 3.5% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 4, 2024 | −16.9% | Apr 8, 2025 | Jun 6, 2025 | 4 months | 6 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
DFAW risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +20.3% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.23 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.28 |
| Best month | +8.6% |
| Worst month | −6.0% |
| Best 12 months | +34.3% |
| Worst 12 months | +5.3% |
| Positive months | 69% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.90 |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.92 |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
DFAW rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 26 | +5.3% | +19.2% | +34.3% | 100% |
| 3-year (a year) | 2 | +20.3% | +21.1% | +21.9% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
DFAW performance overview
Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) returned +16.5% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2023 it has returned +20.2% a year, turning $10,000 into about $17,578. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −16.9%, from Dec 4, 2024 to Apr 8, 2025, and it took 59 days to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 12.2% a year.
Related: DFAW chart, DFAW dividends. See the DFAW overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
DFAW performance FAQ
What is the DFAW return over the past year?
DFAW returned +16.5% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 14.5%.
How much would $10,000 invested in DFAW be worth?
$10,000 invested in DFAW at its first recorded close on September 27, 2023 would be worth about $17,578 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for DFAW?
The worst calendar year was 2024, with a total return of +15.5%. The best was 2025 at +20.6%.
What is the biggest drawdown of DFAW?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −16.9% between December 4, 2024 and April 8, 2025. It recovered to the old high on June 6, 2025, 59 days after the bottom.
How volatile is DFAW?
Over the past 3 years DFAW had an annualized volatility of 12.2% and a Sharpe ratio of 1.23 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).