DFSD ETF — Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF

Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (DFSD)

DFSD is a low-cost ETF. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 3.65%, its trailing-12-month yield is 4.89%, its expense ratio is 0.16%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 66/100 (Generally safe). Fund total return is 12.2% over the past 4.8 years, 62.2 points behind SPY at 74.4%.

At the current 3.65% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $365 per year, or $30.42 per month on an equivalent basis.

Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF is an ETF that invests at least 80% of its assets in investment-grade fixed income securities maturing within five years, tracking the ICE BofA 1-5 Year US Corporate & Government Index while maintaining a weighted average duration within one year of that benchmark. The fund offers a current distribution rate in the mid-range and distributes monthly, with a low expense ratio of 0.16%. It appeals to income investors seeking exposure to short-duration bonds with modest interest rate sensitivity.

DFSD performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 12.2% over the past 4.8 years, 62.2 points behind SPY at 74.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 1.5%.

DFSD key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

66 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.41%

Issuer

Dimensional

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Fixed Income

Inception date

11/15/2021

Expense ratio

0.16%

Distribution rate

3.65%

Distribution frequency

Monthly

Trailing yield

4.89%

Last close

$47.32

AUM

$7,214,616,169

Average volume

494281.0

Last dividend

$0.1440

Ex-dividend date

08/18/2026

Payment date

08/20/2026

Beta

0.26

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.65%) 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 (4.89%) 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. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: Dimensional; 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.

DFSD risks and drawbacks

DFSD's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 1.5%.

Who may consider DFSD — and who may not

DFSD may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for 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

More funds from Dimensional.