ETF Comparison
SPY vs DIA: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| SPY | DIA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust |
| Issuer | State Street | State Street |
| Price | $655.24 | $465.48 |
| Distribution yield | 1.06% | 1.40% |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.16% |
| AUM | $698.3B | $44.3B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Underlying index | S&P 500 Index | Dow Jones Industrial Average |
| Objective | Track the S&P 500 Index before expenses. | Provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 01/22/1993 | 01/14/1998 |
| Beta | 1.0 | 0.89 |
| Last dividend | $1.80 | $0.99 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/20/2026 | 03/20/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) and DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) are both popular quarterly-pay track the s&p 500 index before expenses. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
DIA offers the higher yield at 1.40% vs 1.06% for SPY. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
SPY is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.09% compared to 0.16%.
They track different benchmarks: SPY is linked to S&P 500 Index while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average, which means their performance drivers differ.
SPY is the larger fund by assets ($698.3B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SPY would generate roughly $8.83/month while DIA would produce $11.67/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SPY would cost approximately $90 in fees vs $160 for DIA (simplified, not compounded). The $70.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
SPY tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index before expenses. approach, while DIA tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average using a provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. strategy. Beta is 1.0 for SPY and 0.89 for DIA, indicating DIA is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
SPY is managed by State Street (launched 01/22/1993) with $698.3B in assets. DIA is managed by State Street (launched 01/14/1998) with $44.3B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is SPY or DIA better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. DIA currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between SPY and DIA?
SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) tracks S&P 500 Index with a track the s&p 500 index before expenses. strategy, while DIA (State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust) tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average with a provide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials. approach. They are issued by State Street and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both SPY and DIA?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, SPY or DIA?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while DIA charges 0.16%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in SPY vs DIA generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in SPY would generate roughly $8.83 per month ($106.00 annually). The same in DIA would produce about $11.67 per month ($140.00 annually).
More comparisons to explore
People also compare SPY with
Popular comparisons
Go deeper
Use the full ETF Comparator to add more funds, view radar charts, and generate AI reports.