ECAT vs SPY
ECAT vs SPY
BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. ECAT offers more diversification with 550 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ECAT | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.43% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $1.5B | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 21.30% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 1,008 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +14.41% | +13.79% | |
| 1Y Return | +18.22% | +23.66% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.35% | +21.40% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity | |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
ECAT vs SPY Performance
BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT) is a ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ECAT returned +18.22% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, ECAT is up 14.41% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.
Over three years, ECAT compounded at +20.35% per year against +21.40% for SPY. Across the full 5-year window we track, ECAT has the edge at +9.76% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ECAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% 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 -32.2% for ECAT 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
ECAT charges 1.43% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $143 vs $9 annually, a gap of $134 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ECAT currently yields 21.30% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
ECAT and SPY share 83 holdings out of 970 unique holdings combined, representing a 34.5% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ECAT | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 4.02% | 7.31% | 3.29% |
| AAPL | 2.61% | 7.09% | 4.48% |
| MSFT | 3.85% | 4.43% | 0.58% |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| JPM:US | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings ECAT 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, ECAT or SPY?
ECAT has an expense ratio of 1.43% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $134 per year of difference.
Which performed better, ECAT or SPY?
Over the past year ECAT returned +18.22% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), ECAT annualized +9.76% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, ECAT or SPY?
ECAT has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ECAT -32.2% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both ECAT and SPY?
ECAT 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 ECAT and SPY?
ECAT and SPY share 83 common holdings with a 34.5% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 970 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, ECAT or SPY?
ECAT yields 21.30% while SPY yields 1.01%, so ECAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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