DFAAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFAAX (DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DFAAX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, DFAAX returned 5.27%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAAX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DFAAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAAX achieves a 2.75% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return.

DFAAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 2.75%
• 6M: 2.96%
• 1Y: 4.21%
• 3Y*: 6.21%
• 5Y*: 5.27%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

DFAAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	2.75%	5.18%	4.41%	9.49%	-13.40%	20.47%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	15.42%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAAX and SPY is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2021	0.31

The correlation between DFAAX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFAAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAAX

DFAAX Risk / Return Rank: 29
DFAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
DFAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
DFAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
DFAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
DFAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

DFAAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	DFAAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	2.16	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.91	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	3.01	-1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.16	13.54	-7.37

DFAAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAAX and SPY, 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

DFAAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAAX drawdown since its inception was -16.64%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.64%	-55.19%	+38.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.55%	-8.88%	+6.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.44%	-18.76%	+15.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.64%	-24.50%	+7.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-1.75%	+1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.51%	-9.04%	+4.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.72%	1.97%	-1.25%

Volatility

DFAAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) is 0.97%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that DFAAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.97%	4.64%	-3.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.28%	9.75%	-7.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.10%	12.43%	-9.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.37%	17.14%	-8.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.29%	17.99%	-9.70%

DFAAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DFAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	3.38%	2.90%	4.09%	3.96%	2.06%	13.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAAX and SPY in my portfolio?

DFAAX and SPY have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFAAX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to DFAAX (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAAX dropped -16.64% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.44), 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.