DFAR vs VNQ
DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio – ETF Class Shares compared with Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
DFAR
DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio – ETF Class Shares
TTM yield · Quarterly
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- DFAR yields more today: 4.98% vs 3.47% (forward).
- DFAR has grown its payout faster: 10.1%/yr vs -1.7%/yr over the last 3 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- Over the last year DFAR delivered the higher total return: +7.1% vs +5.1% (price change plus payouts).
- VNQ is cheaper to own: 0.13% vs 0.18% expense ratio.
- VNQ has the steadier distribution: consistency 89/100 vs 32/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | DFAR | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $24.67 | $92.69 |
| TTM yield | 3.52% | 3.68% |
| Forward yield | 4.98% | 3.47% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.228 | $3.22 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Dec 22, 2026 (est.) | Dec 23, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.13% |
| 1-year payout growth | +32.1% | -3.4% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | +0.9% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 3 years | 0 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 32/100 | 89/100 |
| 1-year total return | +7.1% | +5.1% |
| 1-year price return | +3.4% | +1.4% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 8.1B | 66.4B |
| Years paying | 4.6 | 21.8 |
| Sector / category | Real Estate | Real Estate |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| DFAR | VNQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 405.4 | 107.9 |
| Income per year | $498 | $347 |
| Income per month (avg) | $41 | $29 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model DFAR · Model VNQ
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| DFAR Dec 22, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | $0.307 | Est. |
| DFAR Mar 23, 2027 | Apr 6, 2027 | $0.307 | Est. |
| DFAR Jun 22, 2027 | Jul 6, 2027 | $0.307 | Est. |
| VNQ Dec 23, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | $0.805 | Est. |
| VNQ Mar 24, 2027 | Apr 7, 2027 | $0.805 | Est. |
| VNQ Jun 23, 2027 | Jul 7, 2027 | $0.805 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
DFARVNQ
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, DFAR or VNQ?
VNQ currently has the higher trailing yield: DFAR yields 3.52% and VNQ yields 3.68%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do DFAR and VNQ pay?
DFAR pays every quarter and VNQ pays every quarter. DFAR's next ex-date is Dec 22, 2026 and VNQ's is Dec 23, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, DFAR or VNQ?
DFAR has grown its payout faster: 10.1%/yr vs -1.7%/yr over the last 3 years.
Is DFAR or VNQ better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. DFAR and VNQ differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.