DFIC vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFIC (DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFIC is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. DFIC is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFIC returned 19.43%/yr vs 22.35%/yr for SPY. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFIC charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DFIC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) 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, DFIC achieves a 10.29% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

DFIC

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 10.29%
• 6M: 13.30%
• 1Y: 27.29%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

DFIC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	10.29%	37.09%	4.10%	17.32%	-9.27%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-14.00%

Correlation

The correlation between DFIC and SPY is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2022	0.74

The correlation between DFIC and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFIC vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFIC	SPY
Financial Services	20.6%	11.8%
Industrials	20.2%	7.8%
Basic Materials	11.0%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	10.3%
Energy	8.1%	3.6%
Technology	7.8%	35.9%
Healthcare	7.0%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.1%	4.8%
Communication Services	4.3%	11.3%
Utilities	3.7%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.9%

Return for Risk

DFIC vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFIC

DFIC Risk / Return Rank: 55
DFIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
DFIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
DFIC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
DFIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DFIC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

DFIC vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) 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.

	DFIC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.38	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	3.24	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	3.16	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.90	14.72	-4.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFIC vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFIC Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFIC 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

	DFIC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.38	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.59	+0.23

Drawdowns

DFIC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFIC drawdown since its inception was -24.40%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFIC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.40%	-55.19%	+30.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.00%	-8.88%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-18.76%	+5.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-0.70%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.55%	-9.05%	+4.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	1.91%	+0.85%

Volatility

DFIC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (DFIC) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that DFIC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFIC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	2.84%	+1.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.50%	8.90%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.85%	11.83%	+2.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.21%	17.05%	-0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	17.94%	-1.73%

DFIC vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFIC has a 0.23% 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

DFIC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DFIC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIC DFA Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF	2.27%	2.54%	2.87%	2.55%	1.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 DFIC and SPY in my portfolio?

DFIC and SPY have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFIC or SPY?

DFIC has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIC dropped -24.40% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, DFIC or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 22.35% vs 19.43% for DFIC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFIC or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 22.35% return vs 19.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFIC or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for DFIC.

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

DFIC has the higher dividend yield at 2.27%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between DFIC and SPY?

DFIC is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for DFIC and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.98), 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.