DFAW vs SPY
Dimensional World Equity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DFAW or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. DFAW led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DFAW | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 5 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +15.00%Best | +12.71% |
| 1Y Return | +21.81%Best | +19.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.94%Best | +21.09% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.69% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9%Best | 12.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.9%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $17,776 | $18,404Best |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 26, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 27, 2023 to Sep 8, 2026 (2.9 years).
DFAW vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.9 years both funds cover.
DFAW vs SPY Performance
Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) is an ETF from Dimensional and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year DFAW returned +21.81% while SPY returned +19.36%. Year to date, DFAW is up 15.00% versus a gain of 12.71% for SPY.
Over three years, DFAW compounded at +21.94% per year against +21.09% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 11.9% for DFAW. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -16.9% for DFAW and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFAW charges 0.24% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $9 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFAW currently yields 1.23% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in DFAW and 503 in SPY, totalling 100.0% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 5 positions we hold weights for in DFAW and 503 in SPY, against full books of 5 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 5 and 503 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 493 positions DFAW does not, 99.4% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.71%, AAPL 6.83%, MSFT 5.50%, AMZN 4.08%, GOOGL 3.33%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFAW and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFAW or SPY?
DFAW has an expense ratio of 0.24% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFAW or SPY?
Over the past year DFAW returned +21.81% vs +19.36% for SPY, so DFAW leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFAW or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 11.9% for DFAW. Worst drawdown: DFAW -16.9% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both DFAW and SPY?
DFAW and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFAW or SPY?
DFAW yields 1.23% while SPY yields 1.01%, so DFAW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DFAW?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. DFAW led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.