ETY vs SPY

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricETYSPYWinner
Expense Ratio1.06%0.09%
AUM$1.8B$789.1B
Dividend Yield7.63%1.01%
Holdings61505
YTD Return+0.51%+13.79%
1Y Return+0.72%+23.66%
3Y Return (annualized)+14.66%+21.40%
5Y Return (annualized)+8.80%+13.37%
Volatility (annualized)17.2%15.3%
Max Drawdown-64.6%-56.5%
Fund FamilyEaton VanceState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionNov 27, 2006Jan 22, 1993

ETY vs SPY Performance

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund (ETY) is a ETF from Eaton Vance and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ETY returned +0.72% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, ETY is up 0.51% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.

Over three years, ETY compounded at +14.66% per year against +21.40% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +8.80% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.85% annualized vs +0.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

ETY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% 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 -64.6% for ETY 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ETY charges 1.06% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $106 vs $9 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ETY currently yields 7.63% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

40.4%overlap

ETY and SPY share 38 holdings out of 514 unique holdings combined, representing a 40.4% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in ETYWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA8.94%7.31%1.63%
AAPL6.58%7.09%0.51%
MSFT5.99%4.43%1.56%
GOOGProProPro
AMZNProProPro
AVGOProProPro
METAProProPro
JPM:USProProPro
LLYProProPro
VProProPro
See all 10 holdings ETY 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, ETY or SPY?

ETY has an expense ratio of 1.06% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $97 per year of difference.

Which performed better, ETY or SPY?

Over the past year ETY returned +0.72% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ETY annualized +0.66% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, ETY or SPY?

ETY has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ETY -64.6% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both ETY and SPY?

ETY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between ETY and SPY?

ETY and SPY share 38 common holdings with a 40.4% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 514 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, ETY or SPY?

ETY yields 7.63% while SPY yields 1.01%, so ETY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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