BASG vs SPY
BASG vs SPY
Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BASG | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $490M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 33 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +9.91% | +13.10% | |
| 1Y Return | +6.95% | +22.80% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.98% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.20% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jun 13, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
BASG vs SPY Performance
Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth ETF (BASG) is a ETF from Brown Advisory and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BASG returned +6.95% while SPY returned +22.80%. Year to date, BASG is up 9.91% versus a gain of 13.10% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 15.2% for BASG. 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 -19.3% for BASG 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BASG charges 0.61% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $61 vs $9 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BASG currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
BASG and SPY share 28 holdings out of 509 unique holdings combined, representing a 25.7% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BASG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 8.49% | 7.31% | 1.18% |
| AMZN | 6.50% | 3.69% | 2.81% |
| MSFT | 4.82% | 4.43% | 0.39% |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| V | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| SCHW | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| ANET | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GE | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| DHR | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings BASG shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BASG or SPY?
BASG has an expense ratio of 0.61% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $52 per year of difference.
Which performed better, BASG or SPY?
Over the past year BASG returned +6.95% vs +22.80% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BASG annualized +10.43% vs +8.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, BASG or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 15.2% for BASG. Worst drawdown: BASG -19.3% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both BASG and SPY?
BASG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between BASG and SPY?
BASG and SPY share 28 common holdings with a 25.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 509 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, BASG or SPY?
BASG yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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