DFSI vs SPY
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DFSI or SPY?
Large Cap Growth 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 | DFSI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.18% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 2,762 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +9.30% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.49% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.88% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.8%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $20,541 | $21,599Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 12, 2008 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2022 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.9 years).
DFSI 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
DFSI vs SPY Performance
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSI) 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 DFSI returned +15.49% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, DFSI is up 9.30% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, DFSI compounded at +18.88% per year against +21.18% for SPY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +21.83% annualized vs +20.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 12.9% for SPY. 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 -12.8% for DFSI 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSI 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, DFSI currently yields 2.18% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of SPY's money is in holdings DFSI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DFSI, our book for it covers 92.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 2,729 positions we hold weights for in DFSI and 504 in SPY, against full books of 2,762 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSI 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, DFSI or SPY?
DFSI 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, DFSI or SPY?
Over the past year DFSI returned +15.49% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSI annualized +20.27% vs +21.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSI or SPY?
DFSI has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 12.9% for SPY. Worst drawdown: DFSI -12.8% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both DFSI and SPY?
DFSI and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, DFSI or SPY?
DFSI yields 2.18% while SPY yields 0.98%, so DFSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DFSI?
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.