Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ETFs are transforming how investors access blue-chip stocks, potentially reducing reliance on traditional banking services. The DJIA tracks 30 iconic U.S. companies, including UnitedHealth, JPMorgan Chase, Nvidia, Boeing, Coca-Cola, and Apple, representing America’s economic backbone. In 2025, amid AI-driven growth and economic volatility, DJIA ETFs provided low-cost, direct exposure to these giants, bypassing high-fee bank products like mutual funds.
Traditional banks have long profited from advisory fees and managed funds, but Dow Jones ETFs trade like stocks with expense ratios often under 0.2%. This shift challenges banks by empowering retail investors via apps like Robinhood or Vanguard. In 2025, U.S. ETF inflows hit a record $1.5 trillion, up from $1.15 trillion in 2024, highlighting the move away from bank-intermediated investing.
ETFs vs. Traditional Banks: Making High-Fee Products Optional
Banks used to control how people invested in blue-chip stocks. You’d walk in, talk to an advisor, and pay hefty fees for a managed fund. Not anymore. ETFs tracking the DJIA let you buy exposure to those 30 giants with one trade, often for under 0.2% in annual fees. In 2025, ETF inflows smashed $1 trillion (neared $1.5T in actual volume per a TradingView report), a record that shows investors fleeing bank products for these efficient tools.
This shift hits banks hard; think lost revenue from mutual funds that charge 1% or more. Plus, with apps like Robinhood or Vanguard, you trade these ETFs instantly, no branch visit needed. The DJIA itself climbed ~13% year-to-date (YTD) through November, lagging the S&P 500’s 16.4% but offering steadier rides in shaky times.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2025: Key Stats and Returns
Source: Polygon API for volumes; ETF issuers for AUM/fees.
1. ProShares UltraPro Dow30 (UDOW)
Top spot goes to UDOW, the ProShares UltraPro Dow30, with approximately 1.19 billion shares traded in 2025. This 3x leveraged bullish Dow ETF benefited from amplified trading during market rallies, with volume spikes following Fed announcements and amid the DJIA’s upward moves. ProShares manages it, with a 0.95% expense ratio and assets under management (AUM) around $770 million as of early January 2026.
2. SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA)
In second place is DIA, the flagship 1x DJIA tracker from State Street, recording about 1.07 billion shares traded in 2025. Highly liquid and often ranking among the top-traded U.S. ETFs overall, it averaged strong daily volumes, surging during earnings seasons as investors turned to blue-chip stability. With over $45.7 billion in AUM and a low 0.16% expense ratio, DIA provides straightforward, one-to-one exposure to the DJIA’s 30 components.
3. ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30 (SDOW)
Third is SDOW, ProShares UltraPro Short Dow30, with roughly 0.79 billion shares traded. This 3x inverse ETF thrived on volatility, attracting traders betting against the DJIA during brief dips, such as in mid-year corrections. Issued by ProShares with a 0.95% expense ratio, it appeals to experienced hedgers navigating market uncertainty.
4. ProShares Short Dow30 (DOG)
Fourth place belongs to DOG, the ProShares Short Dow30, tallying around 0.48 billion shares traded. As a simple 1x inverse fund, it drew conservative investors seeking straightforward downside protection without the amplified decay of leveraged products. Volume increased during volatile periods.
5. ProShares UltraShort Dow30 (DXD)
Fifth is DXD, ProShares UltraShort Dow30, with approximately 0.26 billion shares traded. This 2x inverse ETF offered moderate bearish exposure, appealing to swing traders looking for overnight hedging with less risk than 3x options. ProShares manages it, with AUM near $50 million and a 0.95% fee.
6. ProShares Ultra Dow30 (DDM)
Sixth ranks DDM, the ProShares Ultra Dow30, at about 0.13 billion shares traded. This 2x leveraged bullish fund captured upside from the DJIA’s gains but saw lower activity compared to its 3x counterpart, suiting traders preferring moderated amplification.
7. Global X Dow 30 Covered Call ETF (DJIA)
Seventh is DJIA, the Global X Dow 30 Covered Call ETF, with around 14.2 million shares traded. By writing calls on DJIA holdings, it generated enhanced income (approximately 6-7% yield in 2025), attracting yield-focused investors seeking alternatives to low-rate bank products. Global X manages it with a 0.60% expense ratio. DJIA is not to be confused with the acronym for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
8. First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW)
Eighth comes EDOW, First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF, trading roughly 7.4 million shares. This fund equally weights the DJIA’s components to reduce price bias toward higher-priced stocks, offering balanced diversification for those favoring a non-traditional approach. It carries a 0.50% fee.
9. Invesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF (DJD)
Ninth is DJD, the Invesco Dow Jones Industrial Average Dividend ETF, with about 6.4 million shares traded. Weighted toward higher-yielding DJIA stocks, it appeals to income-oriented investors with its ultra-low 0.07% expense ratio and strong dividend focus.
10. Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF (DYLG)
Rounding out the list is DYLG, Global X Dow 30 Covered Call & Growth ETF, with approximately 0.65 million shares traded. This hybrid strategy allocates half to covered calls for income and half to growth exposure, outperforming pure covered-call peers in 2025’s rising market while maintaining lighter trading volume.
Dow Jones ETFs Liquidity & Scale Snapshot (2025)
Top holdings across these ETFs (tracking DJIA or variants) include: Goldman Sachs (GS, 11.7%), Caterpillar (CAT, 7.60%), Microsoft (MSFT, 5.94%), American Express (AXP, 4.78%), Visa (V, 4.40%), Amgen (AMGN, 4.12%), and Sherwin-Williams (SHW, 4.26%)
Leveraged funds like UDOW and SDOW led volumes, driven by retail traders capitalizing on DJIA’s record highs and dips. Morningstar’s Bryan Armour noted dividend and covered-call ETFs like DJIA “stood out” for broadening access to a wide range of strategies that individual investors can trade like stocks.
Traditional DIA held strong, but inverses like DOG reflect hedging against bank sector woes. Goldman Sachs, a DJIA member, faced regulatory heat. Overall, volumes rose 15% industry-wide, per State Street, as gold and bonds drew cash too.
Liquidity Is the New Power: ETFs vs. Banks in 2026 Outlook
In 2025, DJIA ETFs highlighted liquidity as key, with leveraged plays thriving on volatility. Banks faced pressure from regulatory scrutiny (e.g., Goldman Sachs) but may respond with their own low-fee ETFs.
For 2026, stable rates could moderate volumes, but volatility will boost inverses like SDOW. A balanced strategy: Core DIA, UDOW for upside, DOG for hedges, potentially cutting costs 80% vs. bank funds. Monitor UDOW/SDOW volume ratios for trends.
ETFs empower investors; liquidity, not banks, drives decisions.
Author: Richardson Chinonyerem
See Also:
Why Meta Platforms is Too Big for the Dow Jones
