DFUVX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DFUVX (DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DFUVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DFUVX returned 11.41%/yr vs 15.42%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFUVX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DFUVX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) 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, DFUVX achieves a 16.03% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.07% return. Over the past 10 years, DFUVX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.41%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.42% annualized return.

DFUVX

• 1D: 1.73%
• 1M: 3.67%
• YTD: 16.03%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 31.69%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 9.81%
• 10Y*: 11.41%

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.27%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

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

DFUVX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFUVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio	16.03%	15.83%	12.87%	11.65%	-5.73%	22.75%	-0.45%	25.62%	-11.58%	18.60%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUVX and SPY is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	0.86

The correlation between DFUVX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFUVX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUVX

DFUVX Risk / Return Rank: 92
DFUVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DFUVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFUVX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
DFUVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFUVX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

DFUVX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) 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.

	DFUVX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	1.98	+0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.01	2.68	+1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.36	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.57	2.74	+2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.19	12.39	+7.80

DFUVX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUVX 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

DFUVX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUVX drawdown since its inception was -65.60%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUVX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUVX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.60%	-55.19%	-10.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.85%	-8.88%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.04%	-18.76%	+1.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.33%	-24.50%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.76%	-33.72%	-8.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.67%	-2.35%	+1.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-9.04%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.97%	-0.37%

Volatility

DFUVX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) is 3.74%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.34%. This indicates that DFUVX 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

	DFUVX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	4.34%	-0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.64%	9.58%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.35%	12.29%	-0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.98%	17.12%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	17.96%	+0.45%

DFUVX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUVX has a 0.14% 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

DFUVX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DFUVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio	1.50%	1.31%	1.94%	5.68%	5.84%	1.77%	2.09%	5.04%	9.79%	7.99%	4.90%	8.03%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 DFUVX and SPY in my portfolio?

DFUVX and SPY have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFUVX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to DFUVX (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUVX dropped -65.60% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 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.