SectorSurfer Logo

Is your portfolio prepared for the next market shift? SectorSurfer's award-winning algorithms help investors achieve higher returns with lower risk through automated sector rotation and StormGuard protection.

Learn how our proprietary technology identifies momentum leaders in any market condition, automatically shifting to defensive positions during downturns.

Start Your Free Trial

#InvestingStrategy #SectorRotation #PortfolioManagement #WealthBuilding

SectorSurfer Dashboard

Higher Returns with Lower Risk: The SectorSurfer Advantage

DIA SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

Category: Large Cap Growth Equities

Inception: 1998-01-13 Issuer: State Street
Net Assets
$36.9B
Expense Ratio
0.16 %
# of Holdings
31
Average Daily Volume
3.31M

Fund Overview

The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an exchange-traded fund designed to track the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the oldest and most widely followed stock market indices. The DJIA consists of 30 large-cap, blue-chip U.S. companies that are leaders in their respective industries. DIA provides investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of established firms, including names like Apple, Goldman Sachs, and Boeing. The fund is structured as a unit investment trust (UIT), meaning it holds the exact stocks in the same proportions as the DJIA and does not engage in active management or frequent rebalancing. DIA is one of the oldest ETFs, launched in 1998, and is known for its liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
Broad Industrials
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
No
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - 1.56 %
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
3 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the DIA ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Provides exposure to 30 large-cap, blue-chip U.S. companies with strong market positions and historical performance.
  • Highly liquid with tight bid-ask spreads, making it easy to trade.
  • Low expense ratio (0.16%) compared to many actively managed funds.
  • Tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a well-known and widely followed benchmark.
  • Dividend-paying constituents provide potential income in addition to capital appreciation.

Potential Risks

  • Limited diversification with only 30 holdings, making it more concentrated than broader market ETFs.
  • Price-weighted index methodology can skew performance toward higher-priced stocks regardless of market cap.
  • Sector concentration risk, with significant exposure to financials, healthcare, and industrials.
  • No international exposure, making it vulnerable to U.S.-specific economic downturns.
  • Dividends are not reinvested automatically, requiring manual management for compounding.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
+0.33% -2.33% +11.85% +61.59% +63.07% +7.56% +15.16% +14.75% +1088.96%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +1.8% +0.3% -5.2% +7.3% +2.9% +2.6% +0.4% +1.5% -4.1% +1.2% - -
2025 +4.7% -1.4% -4.0% -3.2% +4.1% +4.5% +0.2% +3.4% +2.0% +2.6% +0.4% +0.9%
2024 +1.3% +2.4% +2.2% -4.9% +2.6% +1.2% +4.5% +2.0% +2.0% -1.3% +7.8% -5.2%
2023 +3.0% -4.0% +2.1% +2.6% -3.2% +4.6% +3.5% -2.0% -3.4% -1.3% +9.2% +4.9%
2022 -3.3% -3.2% +2.4% -4.9% +0.4% -6.6% +6.8% -3.8% -8.7% +14.0% +5.9% -4.1%
2021 -1.9% +3.4% +6.9% +2.7% +2.2% -0.1% +1.4% +1.4% -4.2% +5.9% -3.5% +5.5%
2020 -0.9% -9.6% -13.6% +11.0% +4.8% +1.7% +2.6% +7.8% -2.1% -4.4% +12.2% +3.3%
2019 +7.3% +3.9% +0.2% +2.6% -6.4% +7.4% +1.1% -1.4% +2.2% +0.5% +4.1% +1.8%
2018 +5.7% -4.1% -3.3% +0.1% +1.4% -0.4% +4.8% +2.4% +2.0% -4.9% +2.0% -8.5%
2017 +0.5% +5.1% -0.6% +1.4% +0.7% +1.7% +2.7% +0.6% +2.2% +4.5% +4.2% +2.1%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
UNH UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC 8.7 %
GS THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC 7.8 %
MSFT MICROSOFT CORP 5.9 %
HD THE HOME DEPOT INC 5.4 %
SHW SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO 5.1 %
V VISA INC CLASS A 5.0 %
MCD MCDONALD'S CORP 4.6 %
CAT CATERPILLAR INC 4.5 %
AMGN AMGEN INC 4.4 %
CRM SALESFORCE INC 4.0 %
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 31 total holdings.

Related ETFs: DIA vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF 0.03 % $579.9B 505 Equity
IWB iShares Russell 1000 ETF 0.15 % $37.2B 1 Equity
ONEQ Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF 0.21 % $6.8B 1 Equity
QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust Series I 0.20 % $297.5B 102 Equity
RSP Invesco S&P 500® Equal Weight ETF 0.20 % $71.6B 505 Equity
SCHX Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF 0.03 % $49.8B 750 Equity
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust 0.09 % $576B 504 Equity
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF 0.03 % $1300B 506 Equity
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF 0.03 % $1700B 3 Equity
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF 0.04 % $260.8B 180 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

DIA is designed to track the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), a price-weighted index of 30 large-cap U.S. companies. Unlike market-cap-weighted indices, the DJIA gives higher weight to stocks with higher share prices, regardless of company size. The fund holds the exact stocks in the same proportions as the index and does not engage in active management. Rebalancing occurs only when there are changes to the DJIA constituents, which are infrequent. The fund primarily holds common stocks and does not use derivatives or leverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does DIA rebalance?

DIA rebalances only when there are changes to the Dow Jones Industrial Average constituents, which occur infrequently and at the discretion of S&P Dow Jones Indices.

Does DIA pay dividends?

Yes, DIA distributes dividends from its underlying holdings quarterly, but dividends are not automatically reinvested.

Why does DIA hold only 30 stocks?

DIA tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which by design includes 30 large-cap U.S. companies selected for their market leadership and representation of the broader economy.

Is DIA a good long-term investment?

DIA can be a core holding for investors seeking blue-chip exposure, but its concentration and price-weighting may underperform broader market ETFs over time.

Industry Overview

The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) provides exposure to large-cap U.S. equities, specifically targeting the 30 blue-chip companies that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The DJIA is often seen as a barometer of the broader U.S. economy, given its inclusion of industry leaders across multiple sectors. Investing in DIA allows investors to gain diversified exposure to established firms with strong balance sheets and competitive advantages. However, the index's price-weighted methodology and limited number of holdings mean it may not fully represent the broader market compared to cap-weighted indices like the S&P 500.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to SPY (which tracks the S&P 500), DIA offers a more concentrated portfolio of 30 stocks versus 500, potentially leading to higher volatility. Unlike cap-weighted funds like IVV or VOO, DIA's price-weighting can result in outsized influence from high-priced stocks. However, DIA's lower turnover and focus on blue-chip companies may appeal to investors seeking stability. Expense-wise, DIA's 0.16% fee is slightly higher than some broad-market ETFs but remains competitive for a targeted large-cap strategy.

Issuer Overview

DIA is issued by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), one of the largest ETF providers in the world. SSGA is known for its SPDR family of ETFs, including the widely traded SPY (S&P 500 ETF). The firm has a long history of providing low-cost, passively managed investment products and is a pioneer in the ETF space.

Conclusion

DIA is a well-established ETF that provides targeted exposure to the Dow Jones Industrial Average's 30 blue-chip stocks. Its simplicity, liquidity, and focus on industry leaders make it a viable option for investors seeking large-cap U.S. equity exposure. However, its price-weighted methodology and limited diversification may not suit all investors, particularly those preferring broader market coverage or factor-based strategies.

Boost Your Returns with SectorSurfer

Award-winning investment strategy automation

SectorSurfer Logo
ETF Profile for . Data intended for informational purposes only. © 2026