DFGP vs SPAB
Dimensional Global Core Plus Fixed Income ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF
Which is better, DFGP or SPAB?
DFGP has been ahead.
SPAB has a lower expense ratio. DFGP led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DFGP | SPAB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.22% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.7B | $10.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.73% | 4.27% |
| Holdings | 3,211 | 8,501 |
| YTD Return | -0.93%Best | -2.00% |
| 1Y Return | -1.09%Best | -1.91% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.66%Best | +4.57% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | -0.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.8%Best | 5.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.9%Best | -4.9% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $11,731Best | $11,311 |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Nov 7, 2023 | May 23, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 9, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
DFGP vs SPAB growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.9 years both funds cover.
DFGP vs SPAB Performance
Dimensional Global Core Plus Fixed Income ETF (DFGP) is an ETF from Dimensional and State Street SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year DFGP returned -1.09% while SPAB returned -1.91%. Year to date, DFGP is down 0.93% versus a loss of 2.00% for SPAB.
Over three years, DFGP compounded at +5.66% per year against +4.57% for SPAB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.0% compared with 4.8% for DFGP. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -3.9% for DFGP and -4.9% for SPAB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFGP charges 0.22% per year while SPAB charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $22 vs $3 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFGP currently yields 5.73% against 4.27% for SPAB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 869 holdings in DFGP and 6,610 in SPAB, totalling 53.4% and 65.9% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 346 positions appear in both.
346 positions in common, counted across the 869 positions we hold weights for in DFGP and 6,610 in SPAB, against full books of 3,211 and 8,501.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFGP | Weight in SPAB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNCL 6 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 6 | 2.37% | 0.14% | 2.23% |
| G2SF 6 10/11Ginnie Mae 6 | 2.11% | 0.13% | 1.98% |
| FNCL 2.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2.5 | 2.00% | 0.03% | 1.97% |
| FNCL 2 10/13Fncl 2 10/20 Fncl 2 10/20 2.0% 10/01/2050 | 1.09% | 0.06% | 1.03% |
| C 5.57 04/30/34 BKNTCitibank Na 5.57% Apr 30, 2034 | 0.93% | 0.01% | 0.92% |
| CSCO 5.9 02/15/39Cisco Systems Inc 5.9% 02/15/2039 | 0.75% | 0.01% | 0.74% |
| FNCL 3.5 10/11Fnma Tba 10/01/2049 | 0.67% | 0.06% | 0.61% |
| CNO 6.45 06/15/34Cno Financial 6.45 2034-06-15 | 0.64% | 0.00% | 0.64% |
| T 1.25 05/31/28United States Treasury Note/Bond,Us Treasury N/B 1.25 2028-05-31 | 0.46% | 0.07% | 0.39% |
| AMZN 3.875 08/22/37Amazon.com Inc 3.875% 08/22/2037 | 0.44% | 0.01% | 0.43% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFGP and SPAB you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFGP or SPAB?
DFGP has an expense ratio of 0.22% while SPAB charges 0.03%. SPAB is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFGP or SPAB?
Over the past year DFGP returned -1.09% vs -1.91% for SPAB, so DFGP leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFGP or SPAB?
SPAB has been the more volatile fund at 5.0% annualized versus 4.8% for DFGP. Worst drawdown: DFGP -3.9% vs SPAB -4.9%.
Should I hold both DFGP and SPAB?
DFGP and SPAB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFGP or SPAB?
DFGP yields 5.73% while SPAB yields 4.27%, so DFGP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPAB better than DFGP?
SPAB has a lower expense ratio. DFGP led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.