ESIX vs. DIA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESIX (SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ESIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index, while DIA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESIX returned 14.39%/yr vs 16.45%/yr for DIA. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESIX charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.

Performance

ESIX vs. DIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESIX achieves a 10.83% return, which is significantly higher than DIA's 6.26% return.

ESIX

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: 10.83%
• 6M: 9.86%
• 1Y: 22.21%
• 3Y*: 14.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DIA

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 3.88%
• YTD: 6.26%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 21.13%
• 3Y*: 16.45%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: 13.21%

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

ESIX vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	10.83%	1.83%	9.66%	17.51%	-14.62%
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	6.26%	14.71%	14.82%	16.02%	-6.81%

Correlation

The correlation between ESIX and DIA is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2022	0.81

The correlation between ESIX and DIA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESIX vs. DIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESIX	DIA
Industrials	17.2%	18.4%
Financial Services	17.0%	27.2%
Technology	16.6%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	11.6%
Healthcare	10.8%	13.1%
Real Estate	6.9%	-
Energy	6.7%	2.4%
Basic Materials	4.4%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	4.4%
Communication Services	2.9%	1.9%
Utilities	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

ESIX vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESIX

ESIX Risk / Return Rank: 37
ESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
ESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
ESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
ESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

DIA

DIA Risk / Return Rank: 48
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

ESIX vs. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA). 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.

	ESIX	DIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.76	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	2.57	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.31	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	2.18	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.57	8.42	-1.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESIX vs. DIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the DIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESIX and DIA, 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

	ESIX	DIA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	1.76	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.49	-0.25

Drawdowns

ESIX vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESIX drawdown since its inception was -27.56%, smaller than the maximum DIA drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESIX and DIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESIX	DIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.56%	-51.87%	+24.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-9.76%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.56%	-15.95%	-11.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.76%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.42%	-1.13%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-7.14%	-1.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.22%	2.52%	+0.70%

Volatility

ESIX vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX) has a higher volatility of 4.19% compared to State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) at 2.97%. This indicates that ESIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESIX	DIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	2.97%	+1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.40%	9.28%	+3.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.99%	12.10%	+5.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.53%	14.78%	+6.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.53%	17.53%	+4.00%

ESIX vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESIX has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than DIA's 0.16% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ESIX vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison

ESIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than DIA's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	1.38%	1.43%	1.61%	1.81%	1.91%	1.58%	1.87%	1.85%	2.24%	1.97%	2.26%	2.33%
ESIX SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF	1.45%	1.64%	1.65%	1.69%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESIX and DIA in my portfolio?

ESIX and DIA have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESIX or DIA?

ESIX has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to DIA (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESIX dropped -27.56% vs DIA's -51.87%.

Which ETF is better, ESIX or DIA?

On 3-year performance, DIA leads with 16.45% vs 14.39% for ESIX. On fees, ESIX is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, DIA has been the lower-risk option at 2.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESIX or DIA?

Over the 3-year period, DIA has performed better with a 16.45% return vs 14.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESIX or DIA?

ESIX is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for DIA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESIX or DIA?

ESIX has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 1.38% for DIA.

What is the main difference between ESIX and DIA?

ESIX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while DIA is Large Cap Blend Equities. ESIX tracks S&P SmallCap 600 ESG Index, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for ESIX and 0.16% for DIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.20), 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.