GE vs DIA: which was the better investment?
GE Aerospace against SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 20, 1998 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did GE beat DIA?
No — measured from Jan 20, 1998 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DIA came out ahead: $123,135 versus $54,017 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.2% annual return against 6.1%.
What would $10,000 in GE be worth today?
$10,000 invested in GE Aerospace (GE) on Jan 20, 1998 would be worth about $54,017 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 440.2% (6.1% per year). The same $10,000 in DIA would be worth $123,135.
Which was riskier — GE or DIA?
GE swung with an annualized volatility of 32.9% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -85.5%; DIA ran at 18.5% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.12 for GE vs 0.39 for DIA.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 20, 1998 through Aug 28, 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 GE 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.