DFELX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFELX (DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DFELX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DFELX returned 10.53%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFELX charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DFELX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFELX) 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, DFELX achieves a 11.60% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, DFELX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.53%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

DFELX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 5.94%
• YTD: 11.60%
• 6M: 11.42%
• 1Y: 27.50%
• 3Y*: 22.08%
• 5Y*: 4.69%
• 10Y*: 10.53%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

DFELX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFELX DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio	11.60%	16.16%	24.57%	26.57%	-22.41%	-10.98%	18.48%	32.76%	-5.48%	20.57%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DFELX and SPY is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 1996	0.98

The correlation between DFELX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.87 (1 year) to 0.98 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFELX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFELX

DFELX Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DFELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFELX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DFELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DFELX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DFELX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFELX) 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.

	DFELX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.38	+0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	3.24	+0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.43	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.45	3.16	+0.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.46	14.72	+0.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFELX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFELX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFELX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.38	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.82	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.87	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.59	-0.16

Drawdowns

DFELX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFELX drawdown since its inception was -55.54%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFELX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFELX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.54%	-55.19%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-8.88%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.27%	-18.76%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.14%	-24.50%	-24.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.14%	-33.72%	-15.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.70%	-9.05%	-3.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	1.91%	+0.05%

Volatility

DFELX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFELX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.86% and 2.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFELX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	2.84%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	8.90%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.91%	11.83%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.76%	17.05%	+4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.36%	17.94%	+2.42%

DFELX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFELX has a 0.15% 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

DFELX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DFELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.63%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFELX DFA Enhanced U.S. Large Company Portfolio	15.63%	17.26%	3.77%	3.00%	1.76%	1.21%	7.55%	9.97%	7.79%	16.57%	3.36%	6.99%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 DFELX and SPY in my portfolio?

DFELX and SPY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFELX or SPY?

DFELX has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFELX dropped -55.54% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.38), 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.