DFSB vs SPY
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DFSB or SPY?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | DFSB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $743M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.81% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 805 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -0.69% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.47% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.51% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.6%Best | 13.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.2%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $11,586 | $20,095Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2022 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.8 years).
DFSB 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
DFSB vs SPY Performance
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) 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 DFSB returned -0.47% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, DFSB is down 0.69% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, DFSB compounded at +4.51% per year against +21.20% for SPY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +20.16% annualized vs +3.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.0% compared with 5.6% for DFSB. 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 -5.2% for DFSB 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSB 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, DFSB currently yields 5.81% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 395 holdings in DFSB and 504 in SPY, totalling 54.0% and 99.9% 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 395 positions we hold weights for in DFSB and 504 in SPY, against full books of 805 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSB 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, DFSB or SPY?
DFSB 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, DFSB or SPY?
Over the past year DFSB returned -0.47% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSB annualized +3.95% vs +20.16% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSB or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 13.0% annualized versus 5.6% for DFSB. Worst drawdown: DFSB -5.2% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both DFSB and SPY?
DFSB and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFSB or SPY?
DFSB yields 5.81% while SPY yields 0.98%, so DFSB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DFSB?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.