DIA vs VTI
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, DIA or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.9%.
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 | DIA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $44.9B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 31 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +7.78% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.08% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.79% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.00% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.8%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,105 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.9% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 14, 1998 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Oct 14, 2026 (25.4 years).
DIA vs VTI 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 25.4 years both funds cover.
DIA vs VTI Performance
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DIA returned +13.08% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, DIA is up 7.78% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, DIA compounded at +16.79% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +10.00% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.04% annualized vs +6.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.6% for DIA. 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 -53.8% for DIA and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIA charges 0.16% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $3 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIA currently yields 1.42% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of DIA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 34.6% of VTI's money is in holdings DIA also owns.
Most of DIA is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 31 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 30 and 3,441 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,126 positions DIA does not, 63.0% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 2.38%, GOOG 2.12%, META 1.70%, MU 1.46%, TSLA 1.40%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DIA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/the | 11.61% | 0.38% | 11.23% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.59% | 5.11% | 0.48% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.75% | 6.30% | 2.55% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 9.23% | 0.50% | 8.73% |
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 2.46% | 6.88% | 4.42% |
| GOOGLAlphabet, Inc. - Class a | 3.82% | 2.70% | 1.12% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.90% | 3.41% | 0.51% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co | 4.02% | 1.29% | 2.73% |
| VVisa Inc-class A Shares | 4.18% | 0.85% | 3.33% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 4.25% | 0.48% | 3.77% |
99.7% of DIA is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DIA or VTI?
DIA has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIA or VTI?
Over the past year DIA returned +13.08% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), DIA annualized +6.73% vs +8.04% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.6% for DIA. Worst drawdown: DIA -53.8% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both DIA and VTI?
DIA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between DIA and VTI?
99.7% of DIA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 34.6% of VTI's is in holdings DIA also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIA or VTI?
DIA yields 1.42% while VTI yields 1.06%, so DIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than DIA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.