DFS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFS (Discover Financial Services) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

DFS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Discover Financial Services (DFS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DFS

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

DFS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFS Discover Financial Services	0.00%	15.88%	57.32%	18.20%	-13.55%	29.78%	10.13%	46.94%	-21.80%	8.92%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DFS and SPY is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 3, 2007	0.63

The correlation between DFS and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (3 years) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

DFS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Discover Financial Services (DFS) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.59	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	DFS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-55.19%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
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	—	0.00%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-9.05%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DFS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.75%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.89%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	11.81%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.05%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	17.94%	—

Dividends

DFS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DFS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFS Discover Financial Services	0.00%	0.35%	1.62%	2.40%	2.35%	1.63%	1.94%	1.98%	2.54%	1.69%	1.61%	2.01%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 DFS and SPY in my portfolio?

DFS and SPY have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.