DLFE vs SPY
FT Vest US Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DLFE or SPY?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
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 | DLFE | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $68M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 12 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +7.37% | +12.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.00% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 20, 2026 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
DLFE 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.
DLFE vs SPY Performance
FT Vest US Equity Dual Directional Buffer ETF - February (DLFE) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, DLFE is up 7.37% versus a gain of 12.22% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DLFE charges 0.85% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $9 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DLFE currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DLFE 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, DLFE or SPY?
DLFE has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, DLFE or SPY?
DLFE yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DLFE?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.