CLF vs DIA: which was the better investment?
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. against SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 20, 1998 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did CLF beat DIA?
No — measured from Jan 20, 1998 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DIA came out ahead: $120,564 versus $25,214 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.1% annual return against 3.3%.
What would $10,000 in CLF be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) on Jan 20, 1998 would be worth about $25,214 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 152.1% (3.3% per year). The same $10,000 in DIA would be worth $120,564.
Which was riskier — CLF or DIA?
CLF swung with an annualized volatility of 63.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -98.8%; DIA ran at 18.5% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.02 for CLF vs 0.38 for DIA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 20, 1998 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with CLF vs DIA. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.