DIA vs DLN: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, DLN yields more: 1.74% (dividend yield) against 1.38% for DIA. DIA is cheaper to own at 0.16% a year vs 0.28%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), DIA returned 9.9% a year with distributions reinvested, and DLN 9.7%.
DIAState Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust1.38%dividend yield| Compared | DIA | DLN |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.38% | 1.74% |
| Expense ratio | 0.16% | 0.28% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +10.3% | +18.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +18.0% | +21.2% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +9.5% | +12.2% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +13.2% | +13.0% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -44.8% | -50.7% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +290% | +248% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | WisdomTree |
| Assets | $45.1B | $6.4B |
| Started | 1998 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
DLN
1.74%
Lower cost
DIA
0.16%
Better total return
DIA
9.9%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DIA
-44.8%
Key facts: DIA vs DLN
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DIA yields 1.38% (dividend yield) and DLN yields 1.74% (dividend yield).
- DIA's expense ratio is 0.16% and DLN's is 0.28%: $16 vs $28 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in DIA grew to $59,040 (9.9% a year) and $10,000 in DLN to $56,757 (9.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -44.8% for DIA and -50.7% for DLN.
- 3 of DIA's top ten holdings are also in DLN's top ten, an overlap of at least 10% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DIA vs DLN: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dia-vs-dln
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
DIA became
$59,040
9.9% a year
DLN became
$56,757
9.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | DIA | DLN |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.7% | +15.5% |
| 2024 | +14.8% | +19.4% |
| 2023 | +16.0% | +10.0% |
| 2022 | −7.0% | −3.8% |
| 2021 | +20.8% | +25.6% |
| 2020 | +9.6% | +4.6% |
| 2019 | +25.0% | +28.5% |
| 2018 | −3.7% | −5.8% |
| 2017 | +28.1% | +18.2% |
| 2016 | +16.4% | +15.5% |
| 2015 | +0.1% | −1.2% |
| 2014 | +9.8% | +14.3% |
| 2013 | +29.6% | +27.3% |
| 2012 | +9.9% | +12.1% |
| 2011 | +8.1% | +9.5% |
| 2010 | +14.0% | +15.0% |
| 2009 | +22.7% | +17.4% |
| 2008 | −32.1% | −35.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
3 of the top ten overlap, at least 10% of each fund.
DIA
- GS The Goldman Sachs Group Inc10.3%
- CAT Caterpillar Inc7.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.0%
- AMGN Amgen Inc5.3%
- V Visa Inc Class A4.7%
- UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc4.7%
- TRV The Travelers Companies Inc4.5%
- AAPL Apple Inc4.0%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co3.9%
- SHW Sherwin-Williams Co3.8%
DLN
- MSFT Microsoft Corp4.9%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp3.5%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.8%
- AAPL Apple Inc2.5%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.4%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.1%
- CVX Chevron Corp2.0%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc2.0%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A1.9%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc1.8%
DIA vs DLN: questions
Is DIA or DLN better?
It depends on the job. DLN pays more today (1.74% vs 1.38%), DIA costs less, and DIA has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with DIA holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIA or DLN?
DLN, at 1.74% against 1.38% for DIA as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $174 vs $138 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
DIA. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.9% a year with distributions reinvested, against 9.7% for DLN. $10,000 became $59,040 vs $56,757.
Which is cheaper, DIA or DLN?
DIA, with a 0.16% expense ratio against 0.28%.
Do DIA and DLN hold the same things?
Partly. 3 of their top ten holdings match (MSFT, JPM, AAPL), at least 10% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.