DFAI ETF — Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI)
DFAI is a low-cost ETF. its distribution rate is 2.28%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.28%, its expense ratio is 0.18%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 90/100 (Safe). Total return is 96.5% over the past 5.8 years, 38.9 points behind SPY at 135.4%.
At the current 2.28% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $228 per year, or about $57.00 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF is an actively managed fund investing in international equities across all market capitalizations, with systematic tilts toward smaller companies, lower valuations, and higher profitability, while also adjusting positions based on factors like price momentum and investment characteristics. The fund distributes quarterly at a modest yield and carries an expense ratio of 0.18%. It appeals to income-seeking investors with international equity exposure who prefer an active management approach combined with quantitative factor considerations.
DFAI dividend yield and income
Price as of 2026-09-22.
The distribution rate (2.28%) is the latest posted forward yield, paid quarterly. Trailing-12-month yield (2.28%) is the last year of payments divided by the current price. The last dividend was $0.473. The last ex-dividend date was 06/23/2026. It was paid on 06/25/2026. At the current 2.28% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $228 per year, or about $57.00 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.
| Ex-date | Amount | Change from previous payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-23 | $0.473 | 363.7% |
| 2026-03-24 | $0.102 | -59.7% |
| 2025-12-16 | $0.253 | 78.2% |
| 2025-09-23 | $0.142 | -67.8% |
| 2025-06-24 | $0.441 | 350.0% |
| 2025-03-25 | $0.098 | -57.0% |
| 2024-12-17 | $0.228 | 67.6% |
| 2024-09-17 | $0.136 | -64.4% |
| 2024-06-18 | $0.382 | 695.8% |
| 2024-03-19 | $0.048 | -72.1% |
| 2023-12-19 | $0.172 | 22.9% |
| 2023-09-19 | $0.14 | -60.6% |
| 2023-06-21 | $0.355 | 294.4% |
| 2023-03-21 | $0.09 | -32.3% |
| 2022-12-20 | $0.133 | -8.9% |
| 2022-09-20 | $0.146 | -55.6% |
| 2022-06-22 | $0.329 | 350.7% |
| 2022-03-22 | $0.073 | -59.2% |
| 2021-12-16 | $0.179 | 33.6% |
| 2021-09-21 | $0.134 | -37.7% |
| 2021-06-22 | $0.215 | 168.8% |
| 2021-03-23 | $0.08 | 220.0% |
| 2020-12-17 | $0.025 | — |
| 2020 total (partial launch year) | $0.025 | — |
| 2021 total | $0.608 | — |
| 2022 total | $0.681 | 12.0% |
| 2023 total | $0.757 | 11.2% |
| 2024 total | $0.794 | 4.9% |
| 2025 total | $0.934 | 17.6% |
| 2026 YTD total | $0.575 | 6.7% vs prior-year YTD |
DFAI dividend growth
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed +7.4%. The 1Y row below uses this same adjacent TTM cash-window comparison. The deepest trailing-12-month payout decline in the past five years is -16.00%.
| Window | Change |
|---|---|
| 1Y | +7.4% |
| 3Y | 34.0% |
| 5Y | 16.4% |
DFAI holdings and sector exposure
The top 10 holdings are 9.5% of the fund.
| Ticker | Name | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ASML | ASML Holding NV ADR | 1.61% |
| SHEL | Shell plc | 1.13% |
| HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.11% |
| ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.06% |
| RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 0.95% |
| 8306 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.81% |
| NESN | Nestle S.A. | 0.80% |
| AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 0.73% |
| TTE | TotalEnergies SE ADR | 0.67% |
| 7203 | Toyota Motor Corp | 0.63% |
Sector weights are shown on the interactive page when signed in.
DFAI performance versus SPY
Price and return data through 2026-09-21.
Total return is 96.5% over the past 5.8 years, 38.9 points behind SPY at 135.4%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 20.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.0%.
| Window | Total return | CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -1.8% | — |
| 3M | 2.6% | — |
| 6M | 14.6% | — |
| YTD | 13.2% | — |
| 1Y | 20.0% | — |
| 2Y CAGR | — | 19.50% |
| 3Y CAGR | — | 20.00% |
| 5Y CAGR | — | 10.50% |
| Since inception (5.8 years) | 96.5% | 12.30% |
DFAI key facts
- Distribution Safety Score™
- 90 · Safe
- Safety-Adjusted Yield
- 2.05%
- Issuer
- Dimensional
- Asset type
- ETF
- Asset class
- Equity
- Inception date
- 11/17/2020
- Expense ratio
- 0.18%
- Distribution rate
- 2.28%
- Distribution frequency
- Quarterly
- Trailing yield
- 2.28%
- Last close
- $42.50 (as of 2026-09-22)
- NAV
- $42.10
- Premium / discount
- 0.95% premium
- AUM
- $17,955,743,855
- Average volume
- 2126135.0
- Last dividend
- $0.473
- Last ex-dividend date
- 06/23/2026 (as of 2026-06-23)
- Last payment date
- 06/25/2026 (as of 2026-06-25)
- Beta
- 0.91
- P/E ratio
- 17.8046
How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns
Distribution rate (2.28%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.28%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.
Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology
Sources and review
Primary sources: Dimensional or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.
Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.
DFAI risks and drawbacks
DFAI's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 11.0%.
Who may consider DFAI — and who may not
DFAI may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (DFAI pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
Does DFAI pay monthly?
No. DFAI currently pays quarterly, not monthly.
What is DFAI's expense ratio?
DFAI's expense ratio is 0.18%.
What is DFAI's dividend yield?
DFAI's distribution rate is 2.28%, paid quarterly, with a 0.18% expense ratio — the latest regular payout annualised, not a trailing 12-month yield (data as of September 22, 2026).
How has DFAI's dividend grown?
Trailing-12-month distributions versus the preceding 12 months changed +7.4%. That is the same adjacent TTM cash-window comparison used in the dividend-history table.
When does DFAI pay a dividend?
DFAI pays quarterly. The last dividend was $0.473. The last ex-dividend date was 06/23/2026. It was paid on 06/25/2026.
How has DFAI performed?
Total return is 96.5% over the past 5.8 years, 38.9 points behind SPY at 135.4%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 20.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.0%.
Is DFAI a good investment?
DFAI's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 90 (Safe). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. Its distribution rate is 2.28% (the latest regular payout annualised, not a trailing yield). Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.
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