DGT vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DGT (State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DGT is a Global Equities fund tracking the The Global Dow, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DGT returned 14.09%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DGT charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DGT vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) 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, DGT achieves a 12.72% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, DGT has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 14.09%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

DGT

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 12.72%
• 6M: 14.40%
• 1Y: 30.90%
• 3Y*: 22.91%
• 5Y*: 13.59%
• 10Y*: 14.09%

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)

DGT vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DGT State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF	12.72%	30.04%	14.15%	20.95%	-8.00%	21.50%	9.67%	22.19%	-9.65%	24.87%
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 DGT and SPY is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2000	0.78

The correlation between DGT and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

DGT vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DGT	SPY
Technology	17.7%	35.9%
Financial Services	17.1%	11.8%
Industrials	13.9%	7.8%
Healthcare	10.9%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	4.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	10.3%
Energy	7.1%	3.6%
Basic Materials	7.1%	1.8%
Communication Services	6.0%	11.3%
Utilities	3.8%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.4%	1.9%

Return for Risk

DGT vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DGT

DGT Risk / Return Rank: 77
DGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
DGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DGT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DGT Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DGT vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) 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.

	DGT	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	2.38	+0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.58	3.24	+0.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.43	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	3.16	+0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.02	14.72	+0.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DGT vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DGT Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DGT 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

	DGT	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.59	2.38	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	0.82	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.87	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.59	-0.29

Drawdowns

DGT vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DGT drawdown since its inception was -55.36%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DGT and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DGT	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.36%	-55.19%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.38%	-8.88%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.67%	-18.76%	+4.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.18%	-24.50%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.40%	-33.72%	-0.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.58%	-0.70%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.83%	-9.05%	-4.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	1.91%	+0.15%

Volatility

DGT vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) has a higher volatility of 3.94% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that DGT'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

	DGT	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	2.84%	+1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.54%	8.90%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	11.83%	+0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.16%	17.05%	-1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.95%	17.94%	-0.99%

DGT vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DGT has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DGT vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGT State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF	2.52%	2.78%	2.83%	2.53%	3.15%	2.66%	1.97%	2.76%	2.50%	1.93%	2.31%	2.37%
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 DGT and SPY in my portfolio?

DGT and SPY have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DGT or SPY?

DGT has higher volatility (3.94%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DGT dropped -55.36% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, DGT or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 14.09% for DGT. 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, DGT or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 14.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DGT or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for DGT.

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

DGT has the higher dividend yield at 2.52%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between DGT and SPY?

DGT is categorized as Global Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. DGT tracks The Global Dow, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for DGT and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 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.