HAIL vs. DFAI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HAIL (SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HAIL is a Global Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Smart Transportation Index, while DFAI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. HAIL is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, HAIL returned -6.32%/yr vs 10.24%/yr for DFAI. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HAIL charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

HAIL vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (HAIL) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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 HAIL having a 11.97% return and DFAI slightly higher at 12.47%.

HAIL

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: -3.51%
• 6M: 7.47%
• YTD: 11.97%
• 1Y: 24.40%
• 3Y*: 2.93%
• 5Y*: -6.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.40%

DFAI

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 1.66%
• 6M: 6.44%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 1Y: 27.22%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 10.24%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.29%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	$74.51M	$70.03M	$61.85M
HAIL SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF	$27.63K	$158.03K	$150.74K

HAIL vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HAIL SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF	11.97%	19.62%	-6.98%	9.65%	-45.72%	1.95%	14.75%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	12.47%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	5.34%

Correlation

The correlation between HAIL and DFAI is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2020	0.68

The correlation between HAIL and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

HAIL vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HAIL	DFAI
Technology	37.8%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	36.2%	8.6%
Industrials	20.3%	19.1%
Communication Services	4.0%	3.6%
Financial Services	3.1%	23.1%
Basic Materials	0.8%	8.4%
Energy	0.8%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Healthcare	-	8.8%
Real Estate	-	1.4%
Utilities	-	3.8%

Return for Risk

HAIL vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HAIL

HAIL Risk / Return Rank: 31
HAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
HAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
HAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 30
HAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
HAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 31

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HAIL vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (HAIL) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	HAIL	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	1.87	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	2.62	-1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.33	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	2.50	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.90	9.83	-6.93

HAIL vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HAIL Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HAIL and DFAI, 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

HAIL vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HAIL drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HAIL and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HAIL	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-27.44%	-38.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.80%	-10.95%	-9.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.18%	-13.25%	-23.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.01%	-27.44%	-35.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.94%	-0.24%	-40.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.73%	-5.01%	-26.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.43%	2.78%	+5.65%

Volatility

HAIL vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (HAIL) has a higher volatility of 9.36% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.10%. This indicates that HAIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HAIL	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	4.10%	+5.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.47%	12.59%	+12.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.00%	14.65%	+17.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.33%	16.00%	+16.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.88%	15.69%	+16.19%

HAIL vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HAIL has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

HAIL vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

HAIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than DFAI's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.29%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%
HAIL SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF	1.71%	2.00%	2.98%	2.62%	2.09%	1.36%	0.52%	1.17%	2.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HAIL and DFAI in my portfolio?

HAIL and DFAI have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HAIL or DFAI?

HAIL has higher volatility (9.36%) compared to DFAI (4.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HAIL dropped -65.98% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, HAIL or DFAI?

On 5-year performance, DFAI leads with 10.24% vs -6.32% for HAIL. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HAIL or DFAI?

Over the 5-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 10.24% return vs -6.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HAIL or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for HAIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HAIL or DFAI?

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.71% for HAIL.

What is the main difference between HAIL and DFAI?

HAIL is categorized as Global Equities, while DFAI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for HAIL and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.77), 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.