DFAC vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFAC (Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. DFAC is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFAC returned 11.69%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFAC charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DFAC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) 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, DFAC achieves a 10.46% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return.

DFAC

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 10.46%
• 6M: 9.33%
• 1Y: 25.95%
• 3Y*: 19.52%
• 5Y*: 11.69%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

DFAC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAC Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF	10.46%	15.66%	19.61%	21.96%	-14.93%	9.55%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	13.06%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAC and SPY is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021	0.96

The correlation between DFAC and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFAC vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAC	SPY
Technology	31.2%	39.0%
Financial Services	13.8%	11.1%
Industrials	12.4%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	9.9%
Healthcare	9.1%	8.3%
Communication Services	7.8%	10.6%
Energy	5.3%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.5%
Basic Materials	3.2%	1.7%
Utilities	1.8%	2.1%
Real Estate	0.2%	1.8%

Return for Risk

DFAC vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAC

DFAC Risk / Return Rank: 66
DFAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
DFAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
DFAC Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DFAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
DFAC Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

DFAC vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) 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.

	DFAC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.90	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.58	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.34	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.67	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.40	11.92	+1.48

DFAC vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAC Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAC 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

DFAC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAC drawdown since its inception was -23.12%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.12%	-55.19%	+32.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.49%	-8.88%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.02%	-18.76%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.12%	-24.50%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.07%	-3.17%	+1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.40%	-9.04%	+3.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.98%	-0.04%

Volatility

DFAC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) is 4.56%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that DFAC 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

	DFAC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.56%	4.87%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.73%	9.85%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	12.50%	+0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	17.15%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.14%	17.95%	-0.81%

DFAC vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAC has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFAC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DFAC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, less than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAC Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF	0.92%	0.97%	1.03%	1.20%	1.50%	0.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 DFAC and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, DFAC and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DFAC or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to DFAC (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAC dropped -23.12% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, DFAC or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.05% vs 11.69% for DFAC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DFAC has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAC or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 11.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAC or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for DFAC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFAC or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.92% for DFAC.

What is the main difference between DFAC and SPY?

DFAC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for DFAC and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.90), 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.