CGUS vs. DIA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CGUS (Capital Group Core Equity ETF) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. CGUS is actively managed, while DIA is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CGUS returned 21.44%/yr vs 17.21%/yr for DIA. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CGUS charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.

Performance

CGUS vs. DIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CGUS having a 8.46% return and DIA slightly lower at 8.31%.

CGUS

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: 8.46%
• 6M: 7.89%
• 1Y: 22.50%
• 3Y*: 21.44%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DIA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 7.49%
• 1Y: 23.20%
• 3Y*: 17.21%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: 13.69%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CGUS vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
CGUS Capital Group Core Equity ETF	8.46%	16.21%	24.89%	27.72%	-4.78%
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	8.31%	14.71%	14.82%	16.02%	1.67%

Correlation

The correlation between CGUS and DIA is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 24, 2022	0.86

The correlation between CGUS and DIA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

CGUS vs. DIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CGUS	DIA
Technology	40.7%	19.1%
Communication Services	10.6%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	11.0%
Financial Services	9.2%	27.3%
Healthcare	8.8%	12.8%
Industrials	8.4%	18.1%
Energy	3.5%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	4.1%
Basic Materials	2.3%	3.7%
Utilities	1.8%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

CGUS vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CGUS

CGUS Risk / Return Rank: 54
CGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
CGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
CGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
CGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
CGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 62

DIA

DIA Risk / Return Rank: 56
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CGUS vs. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CGUS	DIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.88	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.74	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.33	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	2.39	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.74	9.22	+1.52

CGUS vs. DIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the DIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGUS and DIA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CGUS vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGUS drawdown since its inception was -21.86%, smaller than the maximum DIA drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGUS and DIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGUS	DIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.86%	-51.87%	+30.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-9.76%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	-15.95%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.76%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-0.65%	-1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.61%	-7.13%	+2.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	2.52%	-0.42%

Volatility

CGUS vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group Core Equity ETF (CGUS) has a higher volatility of 4.95% compared to State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) at 4.15%. This indicates that CGUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGUS	DIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.95%	4.15%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	9.76%	+0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.06%	12.42%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.51%	14.84%	+1.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	17.53%	-1.02%

CGUS vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGUS has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than DIA's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGUS vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison

CGUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than DIA's 1.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGUS Capital Group Core Equity ETF	0.88%	0.95%	1.02%	1.22%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	1.40%	1.43%	1.61%	1.81%	1.91%	1.58%	1.87%	1.85%	2.24%	1.97%	2.26%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGUS and DIA in my portfolio?

CGUS and DIA have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CGUS or DIA?

CGUS has higher volatility (4.95%) compared to DIA (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGUS dropped -21.86% vs DIA's -51.87%.

Which ETF is better, CGUS or DIA?

On 3-year performance, CGUS leads with 21.44% vs 17.21% for DIA. On fees, DIA is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, DIA has been the lower-risk option at 4.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CGUS or DIA?

Over the 3-year period, CGUS has performed better with a 21.44% return vs 17.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGUS or DIA?

DIA is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for CGUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CGUS or DIA?

DIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 0.88% for CGUS.

What is the main difference between CGUS and DIA?

They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CGUS and 0.16% for DIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.73), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.