SmarterDividends

DIA vs FDL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, FDL yields more: 3.56% (dividend yield) against 1.38% for DIA. DIA is cheaper to own at 0.16% a year vs 0.43%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), DIA returned 9.9% a year with distributions reinvested, and FDL 9.7%.

ComparedDIAFDL
YieldDividend yield1.38%3.56%
Expense ratio0.16%0.43%
Total return, 1 yr+10.3%+31.1%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+18.0%+24.0%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+9.5%+14.9%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)+13.2%+11.9%
Worst drop since Dec 2007-44.8%-54.9%
Share price since Dec 2007+290%+167%
PaysMonthlyQuarterly
IssuerState Street Investment ManagementFirst Trust
Assets$45.1B$8.4B
Started19982006
TypeLarge ValueLarge Value

Higher yield

FDL

3.56%

Lower cost

DIA

0.16%

Better total return

DIA

9.9%/yr

Smaller worst drop

DIA

-44.8%

Key facts: DIA vs FDL

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, DIA yields 1.38% (dividend yield) and FDL yields 3.56% (dividend yield).
  • DIA's expense ratio is 0.16% and FDL's is 0.43%: $16 vs $43 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 FDL to $57,277 (9.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -44.8% for DIA and -54.9% for FDL.
  • 0 of DIA's top ten holdings are also in FDL's top ten.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "DIA vs FDL: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dia-vs-fdl

$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

FDL became

$57,277

9.7% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearDIAFDL
2025+14.7%+14.8%
2024+14.8%+18.0%
2023+16.0%+3.0%
2022−7.0%+6.7%
2021+20.8%+26.1%
2020+9.6%−4.3%
2019+25.0%+24.4%
2018−3.7%−6.0%
2017+28.1%+12.0%
2016+16.4%+20.7%
2015+0.1%+2.6%
2014+9.8%+13.2%
2013+29.6%+22.6%
2012+9.9%+9.1%
2011+8.1%+14.5%
2010+14.0%+16.1%
2009+22.7%+13.4%
2008−32.1%−31.1%

Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.

Top holdings

No overlap in the top ten.

DIA

  1. GS The Goldman Sachs Group Inc10.3%
  2. CAT Caterpillar Inc7.1%
  3. MSFT Microsoft Corp6.0%
  4. AMGN Amgen Inc5.3%
  5. V Visa Inc Class A4.7%
  6. UNH UnitedHealth Group Inc4.7%
  7. TRV The Travelers Companies Inc4.5%
  8. AAPL Apple Inc4.0%
  9. JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co3.9%
  10. SHW Sherwin-Williams Co3.8%

FDL

  1. CVX Chevron Corp9.3%
  2. PM Philip Morris International Inc6.6%
  3. PFE Pfizer Inc6.5%
  4. VZ Verizon Communications Inc6.5%
  5. MO Altria Group Inc5.0%
  6. PEP PepsiCo Inc5.0%
  7. ACN Accenture PLC Class A3.3%
  8. UPS United Parcel Service Inc Class B3.2%
  9. BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Co3.0%
  10. CMCSA Comcast Corp Class A2.5%

DIA vs FDL: questions

Is DIA or FDL better?

It depends on the job. FDL pays more today (3.56% 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 FDL?

FDL, at 3.56% against 1.38% for DIA as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $356 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 FDL. $10,000 became $59,040 vs $57,277.

Which is cheaper, DIA or FDL?

DIA, with a 0.16% expense ratio against 0.43%.

Do DIA and FDL hold the same things?

Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.

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.