DIA vs SPY
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DIA or SPY?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%.
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 | DIA | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $46.0B | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 31 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.98% | +13.78%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.27% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.58% | +21.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.58% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.8%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,534 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.3% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 1998 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 1998 to Sep 3, 2026 (28.6 years).
DIA 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 28.6 years both funds cover.
DIA vs SPY Performance
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year DIA returned +20.27% while SPY returned +21.44%. Year to date, DIA is up 11.98% versus a gain of 13.78% for SPY.
Over three years, DIA compounded at +17.58% per year against +21.38% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +10.58% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 29-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +7.77% annualized vs +7.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 15.0% for DIA. 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 -53.8% for DIA and -56.5% 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIA charges 0.16% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $9 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIA currently yields 1.37% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
100.0% of DIA's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 38.9% of SPY's money is in holdings DIA also owns.
Most of DIA is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 504 in SPY, against full books of 31 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 30 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 466 positions DIA does not, 60.5% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 2.97%, GOOG 2.67%, META 1.94%, MU 1.51%, BRK.B 1.42%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DIA | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 11.43% | 0.47% | 10.96% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.50% | 5.50% | 0.00% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.44% | 6.83% | 3.39% |
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 2.46% | 7.71% | 5.25% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 9.26% | 0.61% | 8.65% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 3.90% | 3.33% | 0.57% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.02% | 4.08% | 1.06% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.93% | 1.44% | 2.49% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 4.48% | 0.56% | 3.92% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.99% | 0.92% | 3.07% |
100.0% of DIA is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DIA or SPY?
DIA has an expense ratio of 0.16% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIA or SPY?
Over the past year DIA returned +20.27% vs +21.44% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (29 years), DIA annualized +7.30% vs +7.77% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIA or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 15.0% for DIA. Worst drawdown: DIA -53.8% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both DIA and SPY?
DIA and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between DIA and SPY?
100.0% of DIA's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 38.9% of SPY's is in holdings DIA also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIA or SPY?
DIA yields 1.37% while SPY yields 1.01%, so DIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DIA?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.