SPY vs. DFUVX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and DFUVX (DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio) are both funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while DFUVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SPY returned 15.42%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for DFUVX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for DFUVX.

Performance

SPY vs. DFUVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPY achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly lower than DFUVX's 16.03% return. Over the past 10 years, SPY has outperformed DFUVX with an annualized return of 15.42%, while DFUVX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.41% annualized return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.27%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

DFUVX

• 1D: 1.73%
• 1M: 3.67%
• YTD: 16.03%
• 6M: 15.83%
• 1Y: 31.69%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 9.81%
• 10Y*: 11.41%

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

SPY vs. DFUVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%
DFUVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio	16.03%	15.83%	12.87%	11.65%	-5.73%	22.75%	-0.45%	25.62%	-11.58%	18.60%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and DFUVX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	0.86

The correlation between SPY and DFUVX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPY vs. DFUVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

DFUVX

DFUVX Risk / Return Rank: 92
DFUVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DFUVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFUVX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
DFUVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFUVX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

SPY vs. DFUVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX). 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.

	SPY	DFUVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.87	-0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	4.01	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.50	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	5.57	-2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	20.19	-7.80

SPY vs. DFUVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is lower than the DFUVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and DFUVX, 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

SPY vs. DFUVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, smaller than the maximum DFUVX drawdown of -65.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and DFUVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	DFUVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-65.60%	+10.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-5.85%	-3.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-17.04%	-1.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-20.33%	-4.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	-41.76%	+8.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-0.67%	-1.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-9.83%	+0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.60%	+0.37%

Volatility

SPY vs. DFUVX - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio (DFUVX) at 3.74%. This indicates that SPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFUVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	DFUVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	3.74%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	8.64%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	11.35%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	15.98%	+1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	18.41%	-0.45%

SPY vs. DFUVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DFUVX's 0.14% 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

SPY vs. DFUVX - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than DFUVX's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value III Portfolio	1.50%	1.31%	1.94%	5.68%	5.84%	1.77%	2.09%	5.04%	9.79%	7.99%	4.90%	8.03%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 SPY and DFUVX in my portfolio?

SPY and DFUVX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPY or DFUVX?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to DFUVX (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs DFUVX's -65.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 1.98), 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.