BROL vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: TiedMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBROLSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.45%0.09%
AUM-$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.00%1.01%
Holdings63505
YTD Return+2.03%+11.49%
1Y Return-+21.37%
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.76%
5Y Return (annualized)-+12.94%
Volatility (annualized)-15.3%
Max Drawdown-4.7%-56.5%
Fund FamilyBaron FundsState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionMay 25, 2026Jan 22, 1993

BROL vs SPY Performance

Baron Risk Optimized Large Cap ETF (BROL) is a ETF from Baron Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, BROL is up 2.03% versus a gain of 11.49% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.7% for BROL and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

Fees and Cost Over Time

BROL charges 0.45% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $9 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BROL currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

39.6%overlap

BROL and SPY share 44 holdings out of 522 unique holdings combined, representing a 39.6% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in BROLWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA8.00%7.31%0.69%
AAPL6.15%7.09%0.94%
GOOG7.12%2.66%4.46%
AMZNProProPro
AVGOProProPro
MSFTProProPro
BACProProPro
LLYProProPro
COSTProProPro
MUProProPro
See all 10 holdings BROL 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, BROL or SPY?

BROL has an expense ratio of 0.45% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $36 per year of difference.

What is the holdings overlap between BROL and SPY?

BROL and SPY share 44 common holdings with a 39.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 522 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, BROL or SPY?

BROL yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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