DLQAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DLQAX (BNY Mellon Large Cap Equity Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DLQAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by BNY Mellon, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DLQAX returned 13.07%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DLQAX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DLQAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Large Cap Equity Fund (DLQAX) 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, DLQAX achieves a 7.86% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, DLQAX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.07%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

DLQAX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 4.29%
• YTD: 7.86%
• 6M: 7.88%
• 1Y: 22.96%
• 3Y*: 17.72%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: 13.07%

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)

DLQAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DLQAX BNY Mellon Large Cap Equity Fund	7.86%	14.27%	21.29%	16.81%	-23.77%	27.21%	23.57%	29.30%	-6.06%	24.54%
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 DLQAX and SPY is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 1996	0.94

The correlation between DLQAX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DLQAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DLQAX

DLQAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
DLQAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
DLQAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
DLQAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
DLQAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DLQAX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

DLQAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Large Cap Equity Fund (DLQAX) 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.

	DLQAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.38	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	3.24	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.43	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.16	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.58	14.72	-4.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DLQAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DLQAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DLQAX 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

	DLQAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.38	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.82	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.87	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.59	-0.32

Drawdowns

DLQAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DLQAX drawdown since its inception was -70.38%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DLQAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DLQAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.38%	-55.19%	-15.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.63%	-8.88%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.44%	-18.76%	-3.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.77%	-24.50%	-6.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	-33.72%	-0.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.68%	-9.05%	-9.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.91%	+0.33%

Volatility

DLQAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon Large Cap Equity Fund (DLQAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.88% and 2.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DLQAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	2.84%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	8.90%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.12%	11.83%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.63%	17.05%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.79%	17.94%	+0.85%

DLQAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DLQAX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DLQAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DLQAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 23.30%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DLQAX BNY Mellon Large Cap Equity Fund	23.30%	21.34%	47.67%	35.24%	15.74%	14.22%	3.69%	4.70%	15.48%	3.90%	1.90%	5.38%
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 DLQAX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, DLQAX and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DLQAX or SPY?

DLQAX has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DLQAX dropped -70.38% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.96), 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.