SPTL vs. DIA
SPTL (SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SPTL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Long U.S. Treasury Index, while DIA is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPTL returned -1.24%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for DIA. At a correlation of -0.26, they often move in opposite directions. SPTL charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.
Performance
SPTL vs. DIA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
Over the past 10 years, SPTL has underperformed DIA with an annualized return of -1.24%, while DIA has yielded a comparatively higher 13.40% annualized return.
SPTL
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 2.61%
- YTD
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 0.43%
- 1Y
- 4.20%
- 3Y*
- -0.28%
- 5Y*
- -5.55%
- 10Y*
- -1.24%
DIA
- 1D
- 0.73%
- 1M
- 3.57%
- YTD
- 7.27%
- 6M
- 6.43%
- 1Y
- 23.20%
- 3Y*
- 16.29%
- 5Y*
- 10.14%
- 10Y*
- 13.40%
SPTL vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPTL SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | 0.00% | 5.28% | -6.23% | 3.30% | -29.44% | -4.99% | 18.07% | 13.74% | -1.57% | 9.01% |
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | 7.27% | 14.71% | 14.82% | 16.02% | -7.02% | 20.83% | 9.59% | 24.70% | -3.74% | 28.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPTL and DIA is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.20 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2007 | -0.26 |
The correlation between SPTL and DIA shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SPTL vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank
SPTL
DIA
SPTL vs. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) 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.
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.
| SPTL | DIA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 1.30 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.46 | 2.16 | -1.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.17 | 8.35 | -7.18 |
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Drawdowns
SPTL vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPTL drawdown since its inception was -46.20%, smaller than the maximum DIA drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTL and DIA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPTL | DIA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.20% | -51.87% | +5.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.04% | -9.76% | +2.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.55% | -15.95% | -1.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -41.02% | -20.76% | -20.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.20% | -36.70% | -9.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -36.63% | -0.70% | -35.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.27% | -7.14% | -7.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.79% | 2.53% | +0.26% |
Volatility
SPTL vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF (SPTL) is 2.73%, while State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) has a volatility of 4.32%. This indicates that SPTL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DIA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SPTL | DIA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.73% | 4.32% | -1.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.12% | 9.78% | -3.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.83% | 12.52% | -3.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.61% | 14.85% | -0.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.95% | 17.56% | -3.61% |
SPTL vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPTL has a 0.03% 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
SPTL vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison
SPTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.20%, more than DIA's 1.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust | 1.37% | 1.43% | 1.61% | 1.81% | 1.91% | 1.58% | 1.87% | 1.85% | 2.24% | 1.97% | 2.26% | 2.33% |
SPTL SPDR Portfolio Long Term Treasury ETF | 4.20% | 4.12% | 4.03% | 3.24% | 2.75% | 1.68% | 1.71% | 2.45% | 2.69% | 2.53% | 2.56% | 2.60% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SPTL and DIA have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DIA has higher volatility (4.32%) compared to SPTL (2.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPTL dropped -46.20% vs DIA's -51.87%.
On 10-year performance, DIA leads with 13.40% vs -1.24% for SPTL. On fees, SPTL is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPTL has been the lower-risk option at 2.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, DIA has performed better with a 13.40% return vs -1.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPTL is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for DIA.
SPTL has the higher dividend yield at 4.20%, compared with 1.37% for DIA.
SPTL is categorized as Government Bonds, while DIA is Large Cap Blend Equities. SPTL tracks Bloomberg Long U.S. Treasury Index, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SPTL and 0.16% for DIA.
DIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 0.37), 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.
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