DACE vs IESG: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
DACE comes out ahead on 5 of 6 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Worth about $13,299 on $100,000 over 20 years.
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
DACE vs IESG side by side
| DACE leads on 5, IESG on 1 | DACEDimensional Australian Core Equity Trust – Active ETF | IESGiShares Core MSCI Australia ESG ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | See the PDS | MSCI Australia IMI Custom ESG Leaders Index |
| Fund manager | Dimensional | iShares |
| Asset class | Australian shares | Australian shares |
| Listed | Nov 2023 | Jun 2021 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.28% | 0.09%✓ |
| AUMfund size | $7.2bn✓ | $607m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $91m✓ | $37m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.14% | 0.07% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −1.8%✓ | −2.6% |
| 1 year | +4.9%✓ | −3.0% |
| 3 years p.a. | – | +9.7% |
| 5 years p.a. | – | +5.9% |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $10,493✓ | $9,701 |
| 5 years ago | – | $13,348 |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
DACE vs IESG price chart
Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
Only IESG has a 5 years record: $10,000 then is worth $13,348 today.
Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
What the fees cost you
IESG's lower fee leaves about $13,299 more in your pocket over 20 years.
Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.
Do DACE and IESG hold the same companies?
4 of their top 10 holdings are the same.
| Company | % of DACE | % of IESG |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 4.58% | 13.43% |
| Wesfarmers Ltd | 1.99% | 7.55% |
| Goodman Group | 1.81% | 4.66% |
| QBE Insurance Group Ltd | 1.80% | 3.39% |
Based on the top 10 holdings last published by each issuer.
Best-endeavours estimate. Built from each issuer's published holdings, which may be weeks or months old, may cover only part of a fund (some publish only their top 10) and are matched by company name. Figures may be incomplete or inaccurate. Check the issuer's website and PDS before relying on them. General information only.
Get the full DACE vs IESG report
- Every holding of each ETF: the top 50 companies, with sectors and countries
- Exactly which companies they share, and how much of each
- Fees in dollars over 10, 20 and 30 years
- Every metric side by side, including the index each tracks
- ★ FREE BONUSIs now a good time to invest? The Market Health-O-Meter
FAQs
Which is better, DACE or IESG?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers DACE wins on 5 measures and IESG on 1. IESG is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.09% vs 0.28%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $13,299. DACE is the larger fund at $7.2bn vs $607m. DACE has the better 1-year return: +4.9% vs −3.0%.
Which is cheaper, DACE or IESG?
DACE charges 0.28% a year and IESG charges 0.09% a year.
Can I hold both DACE and IESG?
You can, but check how much they overlap. DACE is a Australian shares fund and IESG is a Australian shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.