DWAW vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DWAW (AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM All Cap World ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DWAW is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. DWAW is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DWAW returned 8.36%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DWAW charges 1.24%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DWAW vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM All Cap World ETF (DWAW) 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, DWAW achieves a 17.54% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

DWAW

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 17.54%
• 6M: 17.21%
• 1Y: 30.17%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

DWAW vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DWAW AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM All Cap World ETF	17.54%	10.85%	18.48%	11.18%	-17.80%	3.49%	48.87%	24.93%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	-0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between DWAW and SPY is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2019	0.86

The correlation between DWAW and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

DWAW vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DWAW	SPY
Technology	33.0%	39.0%
Financial Services	17.5%	11.1%
Industrials	11.3%	7.8%
Healthcare	7.7%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	9.9%
Communication Services	6.0%	10.6%
Basic Materials	4.5%	1.7%
Energy	4.5%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.5%
Utilities	2.8%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

DWAW vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWAW

DWAW Risk / Return Rank: 56
DWAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
DWAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
DWAW Omega Ratio Rank: 56
DWAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DWAW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

DWAW vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM All Cap World ETF (DWAW) 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.

	DWAW	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	2.16	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.91	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	3.01	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.44	13.54	-3.09

DWAW vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWAW Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWAW 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

DWAW vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWAW drawdown since its inception was -31.55%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWAW and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWAW	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.55%	-55.19%	+23.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.58%	-8.88%	-2.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.91%	-18.76%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.43%	-24.50%	-3.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.75%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.91%	-9.04%	-1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	1.97%	+0.93%

Volatility

DWAW vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM All Cap World ETF (DWAW) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that DWAW'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

	DWAW	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.43%	4.64%	+1.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.99%	9.75%	+4.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.52%	12.43%	+4.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.25%	17.14%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.55%	17.99%	+6.56%

DWAW vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWAW has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWAW vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DWAW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWAW AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright FSM All Cap World ETF	0.65%	0.76%	0.00%	1.70%	0.53%	1.45%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 DWAW and SPY in my portfolio?

DWAW and SPY have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DWAW or SPY?

DWAW has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWAW dropped -31.55% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, DWAW or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.51% vs 8.36% for DWAW. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DWAW or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.51% return vs 8.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DWAW or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.24% for DWAW.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.65% for DWAW.

What is the main difference between DWAW and SPY?

DWAW is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.24% for DWAW and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.84), 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.