DIA vs. ESN
DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - DIA tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DIA returned 24.46% vs 26.44% for ESN. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIA charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.
Performance
DIA vs. ESN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DIA achieves a 8.40% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 14.09% return.
DIA
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- 2.44%
- YTD
- 8.40%
- 6M
- 7.75%
- 1Y
- 24.46%
- 3Y*
- 17.24%
- 5Y*
- 10.75%
- 10Y*
- 13.70%
ESN
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- -0.32%
- YTD
- 14.09%
- 6M
- 14.56%
- 1Y
- 26.44%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DIA vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | 8.40% | 14.71% | -1.31% |
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF | 14.09% | 16.52% | -3.53% |
Correlation
The correlation between DIA and ESN is 0.81, 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 | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024 | 0.85 |
The correlation between DIA and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DIA vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank
DIA
ESN
DIA vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.
| DIA | ESN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.45 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.52 | 4.08 | -1.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.72 | 16.09 | -6.36 |
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Drawdowns
DIA vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DIA drawdown since its inception was -51.87%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIA and ESN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DIA | ESN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.87% | -13.60% | -38.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.76% | -6.42% | -3.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.95% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.76% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.70% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.57% | -1.56% | +0.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.13% | -1.86% | -5.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.52% | 1.63% | +0.89% |
Volatility
DIA vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 3.40%. This indicates that DIA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DIA | ESN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.16% | 3.40% | +0.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.76% | 7.47% | +2.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.45% | 10.03% | +2.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.84% | 13.31% | +1.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.57% | 13.31% | +4.26% |
DIA vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison
DIA has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.
Dividends
DIA vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison
DIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%, more than ESN's 0.80% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | 1.39% | 1.43% | 1.61% | 1.81% | 1.91% | 1.58% | 1.87% | 1.85% | 2.24% | 1.97% | 2.26% | 2.33% |
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF | 0.80% | 0.91% | 0.76% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DIA and ESN have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DIA has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to ESN (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIA dropped -51.87% vs ESN's -13.60%.
On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 26.44% vs 24.46% for DIA. On fees, DIA is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 3.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 26.44% return vs 24.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DIA is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.
DIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 0.80% for ESN.
DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and KKM Financial. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for DIA and 0.70% for ESN.
ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 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.
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