ELFY vs SPY
ELFY vs SPY
ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. ELFY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ELFY | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $191M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 109 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +15.75% | +13.10% | |
| 1Y Return | +24.15% | +22.80% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.98% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.20% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -13.6% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | ALPS ETF Trust | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Apr 9, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
ELFY vs SPY Performance
ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) is a ETF from ALPS ETF Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ELFY returned +24.15% while SPY returned +22.80%. Year to date, ELFY is up 15.75% versus a gain of 13.10% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ELFY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% 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 -13.6% for ELFY 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 0.62. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ELFY charges 0.50% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $9 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ELFY currently yields 0.84% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
ELFY and SPY share 53 holdings out of 564 unique holdings combined, representing a 5.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ELFY | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEV | 1.01% | 0.48% | 0.53% |
| NEE | 0.96% | 0.28% | 0.68% |
| APH | 0.90% | 0.32% | 0.58% |
| ETN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| CEG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| SO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| DUK | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| VST | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| NRG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| ZBRA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings ELFY 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, ELFY or SPY?
ELFY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $41 per year of difference.
Which performed better, ELFY or SPY?
Over the past year ELFY returned +24.15% vs +22.80% for SPY, so ELFY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), ELFY annualized +43.70% vs +8.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, ELFY or SPY?
ELFY has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ELFY -13.6% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both ELFY and SPY?
ELFY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between ELFY and SPY?
ELFY and SPY share 53 common holdings with a 5.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 564 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, ELFY or SPY?
ELFY yields 0.84% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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