DFGV vs SPY
DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DFGV or SPY?
SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio.
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 | DFGV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $6.1B | $777.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.00% |
| Holdings | 99 | 1,011 |
| YTD Return | +2.18% | +8.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +10.88% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.90% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2026 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
DFGV 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
DFGV vs SPY Performance
DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio ETF (DFGV) is an ETF from Dimensional and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, DFGV is up 2.18% versus a gain of 8.47% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFGV charges 0.12% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $9 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFGV currently yields 0.00% against 1.00% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 99 holdings in DFGV and 504 in SPY, totalling 70.9% and 100.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, DFGV as of Aug 31, 2026 and SPY as of Oct 16, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in DFGV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 99 and 1,011.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFGV 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, DFGV or SPY?
DFGV has an expense ratio of 0.12% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFGV or SPY?
DFGV yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DFGV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.