DIA vs RSP: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust against Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, over the same 20 years (November 2006 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From November 2006 to October 2026, DIA returned 10.0% a year and RSP 9.7% a year on average, so DIA came out ahead by 0.2% a year. RSP was the more volatile of the two (17.3% against 14.7% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 47.0% for DIA and 55.6% for RSP.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.94: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 205 rolling 3-year periods, DIA did better in 45% and RSP in 55%.
Side by side
| DIA | RSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +10.0% | +9.7% |
| Total return | +568% | +540% |
| Annual volatility | 14.7% | 17.3% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −47.0% | −55.6% |
| Worst month | −13.6% | −20.9% |
| Best month | +14.0% | +18.7% |
| Positive months | 66% | 65% |
| Best year | 2013: +29.6% | 2009: +44.6% |
| Worst year | 2008: −32.1% | 2008: −40.1% |
| 1-year return | +14.0% | +15.3% |
| 5 years, a year | +9.8% | +8.2% |
| 10 years, a year | +13.2% | +11.9% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 240 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: DIA vs RSP
Returns by calendar year
| Year | DIA | RSP |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.7% | +11.2% |
| 2024 | +14.8% | +12.8% |
| 2023 | +16.0% | +13.7% |
| 2022 | −7.0% | −11.6% |
| 2021 | +20.8% | +29.4% |
| 2020 | +9.6% | +12.7% |
| 2019 | +25.0% | +28.9% |
| 2018 | −3.7% | −7.8% |
| 2017 | +28.1% | +18.5% |
| 2016 | +16.4% | +14.5% |
| 2015 | +0.1% | −2.7% |
| 2014 | +9.8% | +14.1% |
| 2013 | +29.6% | +35.5% |
| 2012 | +9.9% | +17.2% |
| 2011 | +8.1% | −0.7% |
| 2010 | +14.0% | +21.4% |
| 2009 | +22.7% | +44.6% |
| 2008 | −32.1% | −40.1% |
| 2007 | +8.9% | +0.9% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, DIA or RSP?
From November 2006 to October 2026, DIA returned +10.0% a year and RSP +9.7% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods DIA did better in 45% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, DIA or RSP?
Over the same months annual volatility was 14.7% for DIA and 17.3% for RSP; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 47.0% and 55.6%, and the worst single month −13.6% and −20.9%.
How correlated are DIA and RSP?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.94: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.