DFSU vs SPY
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DFSU or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | DFSU | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 1,951 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | +10.23% | +13.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.19% | +17.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.41% | +22.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.21% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.9% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $19,805 | $21,420Best |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2022 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 2, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.9 years).
DFSU vs SPY 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
DFSU vs SPY Performance
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSU) is an ETF from Dimensional and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year DFSU returned +14.19% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, DFSU is up 10.23% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.
Over three years, DFSU compounded at +20.41% per year against +22.36% for SPY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +21.57% annualized vs +19.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFSU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 12.8% for SPY. 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 -19.9% for DFSU and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFSU charges 0.15% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFSU currently yields 0.84% against 0.99% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in DFSU and 504 in SPY, totalling 0.0% and 99.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in DFSU and 504 in SPY, against full books of 1,951 and 1,515.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFSU and SPY 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, DFSU or SPY?
DFSU has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFSU or SPY?
Over the past year DFSU returned +14.19% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), DFSU annualized +19.15% vs +21.57% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFSU or SPY?
DFSU has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 12.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: DFSU -19.9% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both DFSU and SPY?
DFSU and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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, DFSU or SPY?
DFSU yields 0.84% while SPY yields 0.99%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DFSU?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.