DLN vs. SPYD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DLN (WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF) and SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DLN is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index, while SPYD is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DLN returned 12.68%/yr vs 8.59%/yr for SPYD. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DLN charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPYD.

Performance

DLN vs. SPYD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DLN having a 9.93% return and SPYD slightly higher at 10.34%. Over the past 10 years, DLN has outperformed SPYD with an annualized return of 12.68%, while SPYD has yielded a comparatively lower 8.59% annualized return.

DLN

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.93%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.96%
• 1Y: 22.38%
• 3Y*: 18.35%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

SPYD

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 10.97%
• 1Y: 16.38%
• 3Y*: 14.37%
• 5Y*: 6.76%
• 10Y*: 8.59%

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

DLN vs. SPYD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	9.93%	15.53%	19.66%	9.95%	-3.78%	25.60%	4.59%	28.91%	-5.82%	18.22%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	10.34%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%

Correlation

The correlation between DLN and SPYD is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2015	0.83

The correlation between DLN and SPYD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

DLN vs. SPYD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DLN	SPYD
Technology	20.1%	2.7%
Financial Services	18.0%	12.1%
Healthcare	12.6%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	16.3%
Energy	8.5%	9.2%
Industrials	7.9%	2.3%
Communication Services	7.8%	5.1%
Utilities	5.9%	11.4%
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	6.5%
Real Estate	4.0%	25.8%
Basic Materials	1.0%	3.4%

Return for Risk

DLN vs. SPYD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DLN

DLN Risk / Return Rank: 77
DLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DLN Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DLN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 41
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 36
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

DLN vs. SPYD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). 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.

	DLN	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.42	+1.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	2.15	+1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.24	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	2.33	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	6.77	+8.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DLN vs. SPYD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DLN Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the SPYD Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DLN and SPYD, 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

	DLN	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.42	+1.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.42	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.44	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.47	+0.06

Drawdowns

DLN vs. SPYD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLN drawdown since its inception was -57.84%, which is greater than SPYD's maximum drawdown of -46.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLN and SPYD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLN	SPYD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.84%	-46.42%	-11.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.10%	-7.05%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.71%	-16.13%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.26%	-22.25%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.82%	-46.42%	+10.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-1.11%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.52%	-6.17%	-1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.44%	2.43%	-0.99%

Volatility

DLN vs. SPYD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF (DLN) is 2.17%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) has a volatility of 2.57%. This indicates that DLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DLN	SPYD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.17%	2.57%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.77%	7.71%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.87%	11.62%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.26%	16.13%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.16%	19.78%	-3.62%

DLN vs. SPYD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DLN has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYD's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

DLN vs. SPYD - Dividend Comparison

DLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than SPYD's 4.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLN WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend ETF	1.79%	1.90%	2.00%	2.43%	2.53%	2.01%	2.66%	2.51%	2.90%	2.33%	2.64%	2.80%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.21%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DLN and SPYD in my portfolio?

DLN and SPYD have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DLN or SPYD?

SPYD has higher volatility (2.57%) compared to DLN (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLN dropped -57.84% vs SPYD's -46.42%.

Which ETF is better, DLN or SPYD?

On 10-year performance, DLN leads with 12.68% vs 8.59% for SPYD. On fees, SPYD is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, DLN has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DLN or SPYD?

Over the 10-year period, DLN has performed better with a 12.68% return vs 8.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DLN or SPYD?

SPYD is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for DLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DLN or SPYD?

SPYD has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 1.79% for DLN.

What is the main difference between DLN and SPYD?

DLN is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYD is S&P 500. DLN tracks WisdomTree LargeCap Dividend Index, while SPYD tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for DLN and 0.07% for SPYD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.42), 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.