ACLC vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricACLCSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.39%0.09%
AUM$305M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.54%1.01%
Holdings100505
YTD Return+11.91%+13.79%
1Y Return+20.09%+23.66%
3Y Return (annualized)+17.02%+21.40%
5Y Return (annualized)+10.50%+13.37%
Volatility (annualized)16.1%15.3%
Max Drawdown-26.4%-56.5%
Fund FamilyAmerican Century InvestmentsState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJul 15, 2020Jan 22, 1993

ACLC vs SPY Performance

American Century Large Cap Equity ETF (ACLC) is a ETF from American Century Investments and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ACLC returned +20.09% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, ACLC is up 11.91% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.

Over three years, ACLC compounded at +17.02% per year against +21.40% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +10.50% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, ACLC has the edge at +14.55% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

ACLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -26.4% for ACLC and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ACLC charges 0.39% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $9 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACLC currently yields 0.54% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

54.2%overlap

ACLC and SPY share 93 holdings out of 510 unique holdings combined, representing a 54.2% weight overlap.

High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in ACLCWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA8.10%7.31%0.79%
AAPL4.75%7.09%2.34%
MSFT5.54%4.43%1.11%
GOOGLProProPro
AMZNProProPro
AVGOProProPro
MUProProPro
METAProProPro
TSLAProProPro
LLYProProPro
See all 10 holdings ACLC shares with SPY
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ACLC or SPY?

ACLC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $30 per year of difference.

Which performed better, ACLC or SPY?

Over the past year ACLC returned +20.09% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), ACLC annualized +14.55% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, ACLC or SPY?

ACLC has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ACLC -26.4% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both ACLC and SPY?

ACLC and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.

What is the holdings overlap between ACLC and SPY?

ACLC and SPY share 93 common holdings with a 54.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 510 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, ACLC or SPY?

ACLC yields 0.54% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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