DIA vs VTI

DIA vs VTI

Which is better, DIA or VTI?

Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: VTI

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

MetricDIAVTI
Expense Ratio0.16%0.03%Best
AUM$45.2B$666.9B
Dividend Yield1.38%1.03%
Holdings313,543
YTD Return+8.60%+11.65%Best
1Y Return+15.97%+17.34%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+16.32%+20.35%Best
5Y Return (annualized)+10.37%+11.72%Best
Volatility (annualized)14.6%Best15.3%
Max Drawdown-53.8%Best-56.6%
$10,000 over 5 years$16,378$17,404Best
Fund FamilySPDR State Street Global AdvisorsVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap ValueLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJan 14, 1998May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 10, 2026 (25.3 years).

DIA vs VTI 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 25.3 years both funds cover.

DIA vs VTI Performance

State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DIA returned +15.97% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, DIA is up 8.60% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.

Over three years, DIA compounded at +16.32% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.37% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.01% annualized vs +6.79%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. 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 VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $3 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIA currently yields 1.38% against 1.03% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

DIA already in VTI100.0%

At least 100.0% of DIA's money is in holdings VTI also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

Most of DIA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 31 and 3,543.

What only one of them owns

Measured across the 30 and 2,787 positions we hold weights for.

VTI holds 651 positions DIA does not, 57.9% of the fund.

Largest: AVGO 2.46%, GOOG 2.27%, MU 1.79%, TSLA 1.63%, LLY 1.40%

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in DIAWeight in VTIDifference
GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc.11.43%0.39%11.04%
CATCaterpillar, Inc.9.26%0.67%8.59%
MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 375.50%3.81%1.69%
AAPLApple, Inc3.44%5.84%2.40%
NVDANvidia Corp.2.46%6.32%3.86%
GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.0013.90%2.88%1.02%
AMZNAmazon.Com Inc3.02%3.17%0.15%
JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co.3.93%1.11%2.82%
UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc.4.48%0.52%3.96%
AMGNAmgen Inc.4.52%0.27%4.25%

100.0% of DIA is already inside VTI.

You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.

DIAVTI

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, DIA or VTI?

DIA has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, DIA or VTI?

Over the past year DIA returned +15.97% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), DIA annualized +6.79% vs +8.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, DIA or VTI?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.6% for DIA. Worst drawdown: DIA -53.8% vs VTI -56.6%.

Should I hold both DIA and VTI?

DIA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 VTI?

At least 100.0% of DIA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 2,787 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, DIA or VTI?

DIA yields 1.38% while VTI yields 1.03%, so DIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than DIA?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.