DIA vs QDF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, QDF yields more: 1.53% (dividend yield) against 1.38% for DIA. DIA is cheaper to own at 0.16% a year vs 0.39%. Over the same 13 years (Dec 2012 to Oct 2026), DIA returned 12.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and QDF 12.6%.
DIAState Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust1.38%dividend yield| Compared | DIA | QDF |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.38% | 1.53% |
| Expense ratio | 0.16% | 0.39% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +10.3% | +14.5% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +18.0% | +20.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +9.5% | +11.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +13.2% | +12.1% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2012 | -22.6% | -25.2% |
| Share price since Dec 2012 | +296% | +262% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | Northern Trust |
| Assets | $45.1B | $2.2B |
| Started | 1998 | 2012 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
QDF
1.53%
Lower cost
DIA
0.16%
Better total return
DIA
12.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DIA
-22.6%
Key facts: DIA vs QDF
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DIA yields 1.38% (dividend yield) and QDF yields 1.53% (dividend yield).
- DIA's expense ratio is 0.16% and QDF's is 0.39%: $16 vs $39 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in DIA grew to $52,330 (12.7% a year) and $10,000 in QDF to $51,697 (12.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -22.6% for DIA and -25.2% for QDF.
- 3 of DIA's top ten holdings are also in QDF's top ten, an overlap of at least 11% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DIA vs QDF: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dia-vs-qdf
$10,000 in each, Dec 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
DIA became
$52,330
12.7% a year
QDF became
$51,697
12.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | DIA | QDF |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.7% | +16.6% |
| 2024 | +14.8% | +16.9% |
| 2023 | +16.0% | +19.7% |
| 2022 | −7.0% | −12.1% |
| 2021 | +20.8% | +26.7% |
| 2020 | +9.6% | +4.9% |
| 2019 | +25.0% | +25.7% |
| 2018 | −3.7% | −8.0% |
| 2017 | +28.1% | +17.4% |
| 2016 | +16.4% | +17.0% |
| 2015 | +0.1% | −0.9% |
| 2014 | +9.8% | +11.8% |
| 2013 | +29.6% | +36.3% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
3 of the top ten overlap, at least 11% 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%
QDF
- AAPL Apple Inc9.8%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp4.6%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson3.0%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.5%
- GE GE Aerospace2.2%
- LRCX Lam Research Corp2.1%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc2.1%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A1.9%
DIA vs QDF: questions
Is DIA or QDF better?
It depends on the job. QDF pays more today (1.53% vs 1.38%), DIA costs less, and DIA has the better total return over Dec 2012 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 QDF?
QDF, at 1.53% against 1.38% for DIA as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $153 vs $138 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
DIA. From Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 12.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.6% for QDF. $10,000 became $52,330 vs $51,697.
Which is cheaper, DIA or QDF?
DIA, with a 0.16% expense ratio against 0.39%.
Do DIA and QDF hold the same things?
Partly. 3 of their top ten holdings match (MSFT, AAPL, JPM), at least 11% 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.