SPY vs. DIA

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 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, SPY returned 15.53%/yr vs 13.73%/yr for DIA. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DIA.

Performance

SPY vs. DIA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 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, SPY achieves a 8.10% return, which is significantly lower than DIA's 8.70% return. Over the past 10 years, SPY has outperformed DIA with an annualized return of 15.53%, while DIA has yielded a comparatively lower 13.73% annualized return.

SPY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -1.41%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.77%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

DIA

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 2.73%
• YTD: 8.70%
• 6M: 7.27%
• 1Y: 22.19%
• 3Y*: 17.35%
• 5Y*: 10.44%
• 10Y*: 13.73%

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

SPY vs. DIA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.10%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	8.70%	14.71%	14.82%	16.02%	-7.02%	20.83%	9.59%	24.70%	-3.74%	28.08%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and DIA is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 1998	0.92

The correlation between SPY and DIA shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPY vs. DIA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	DIA
Technology	39.0%	19.1%
Financial Services	11.1%	27.3%
Communication Services	10.6%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	11.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	12.8%
Industrials	7.8%	18.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.1%
Energy	3.1%	2.2%
Utilities	2.1%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	3.7%

Return for Risk

SPY vs. DIA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

DIA

DIA Risk / Return Rank: 57
DIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
DIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
DIA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
DIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
DIA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. DIA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) 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.

	SPY	DIA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.81	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.63	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.28	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.15	8.82	+2.33

SPY vs. DIA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the DIA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY 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.

Drawdowns

SPY vs. DIA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than DIA's maximum drawdown of -51.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and DIA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	DIA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-51.87%	-3.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-9.76%	+0.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-15.95%	-2.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-20.76%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	-36.70%	+2.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.22%	-0.29%	-2.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.03%	-7.13%	-1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	2.52%	-0.53%

Volatility

SPY vs. DIA - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 4.85% compared to State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) at 4.13%. This indicates that SPY'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

	SPY	DIA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.85%	4.13%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.81%	9.76%	+0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.47%	12.40%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	14.83%	+2.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.95%	17.53%	+0.42%

SPY vs. DIA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% 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

SPY vs. DIA - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than DIA's 1.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIA State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust	1.39%	1.43%	1.61%	1.81%	1.91%	1.58%	1.87%	1.85%	2.24%	1.97%	2.26%	2.33%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 DIA in my portfolio?

SPY and DIA have a correlation of 0.81, 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 DIA?

SPY has higher volatility (4.85%) compared to DIA (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs DIA's -51.87%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or DIA?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.53% vs 13.73% for DIA. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DIA has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or DIA?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 13.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or DIA?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for DIA.

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

DIA has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPY and DIA?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while DIA is Large Cap Blend Equities. SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.16% for DIA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.79), 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.