ALAI vs SPY

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: ALAIMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricALAISPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.58%0.09%
AUM$461M$789.1B
Dividend Yield1.19%1.01%
Holdings59505
YTD Return+23.60%+13.79%
1Y Return+37.12%+23.66%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.40%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.37%
Volatility (annualized)25.9%15.3%
Max Drawdown-29.4%-56.5%
Fund FamilyAlgerState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionApr 4, 2024Jan 22, 1993

ALAI vs SPY Performance

Alger AI Enablers & Adopters ETF (ALAI) is a ETF from Alger and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ALAI returned +37.12% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, ALAI is up 23.60% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

ALAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.9% 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 -29.4% for ALAI 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ALAI charges 0.58% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $9 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ALAI currently yields 1.19% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

33.1%overlap

ALAI and SPY share 30 holdings out of 536 unique holdings combined, representing a 33.1% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in ALAIWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA14.00%7.31%6.69%
AAPL3.10%7.09%3.99%
MSFT5.33%4.43%0.90%
AMZNProProPro
AVGOProProPro
GOOGProProPro
METAProProPro
WDCProProPro
TSLAProProPro
MUProProPro
See all 10 holdings ALAI shares with SPY
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ALAI or SPY?

ALAI has an expense ratio of 0.58% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $49 per year of difference.

Which performed better, ALAI or SPY?

Over the past year ALAI returned +37.12% vs +23.66% for SPY, so ALAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), ALAI annualized +42.36% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, ALAI or SPY?

ALAI has been the more volatile fund at 25.9% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ALAI -29.4% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both ALAI and SPY?

ALAI and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between ALAI and SPY?

ALAI and SPY share 30 common holdings with a 33.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 536 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, ALAI or SPY?

ALAI yields 1.19% while SPY yields 1.01%, so ALAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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