IETC 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

MetricIETCSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.18%0.09%
AUM$658M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.39%1.01%
Holdings106505
YTD Return+9.32%+13.50%
1Y Return+13.09%+23.56%
3Y Return (annualized)+25.83%+21.17%
5Y Return (annualized)+14.72%+13.46%
Volatility (annualized)21.6%15.3%
Max Drawdown-38.5%-56.5%
Fund FamilyiShares by BlackRock (US)State Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionMar 21, 2018Jan 22, 1993

IETC vs SPY Performance

iShares US Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IETC returned +13.09% while SPY returned +23.56%. Year to date, IETC is up 9.32% versus a gain of 13.50% for SPY.

Over three years, IETC compounded at +25.83% per year against +21.17% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +14.72% and +13.46% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IETC has the edge at +20.37% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

IETC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% 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 -38.5% for IETC 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

IETC charges 0.18% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $9 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IETC currently yields 0.39% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

42.3%overlap

IETC and SPY share 67 holdings out of 539 unique holdings combined, representing a 42.3% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in IETCWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA12.43%7.31%5.12%
AVGO8.40%2.73%5.67%
AAPL3.58%7.09%3.51%
MSFTProProPro
AMZNProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
MUProProPro
AMDProProPro
GOOGProProPro
METAProProPro
See all 10 holdings IETC 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, IETC or SPY?

IETC has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $9 per year of difference.

Which performed better, IETC or SPY?

Over the past year IETC returned +13.09% vs +23.56% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IETC annualized +20.37% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, IETC or SPY?

IETC has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IETC -38.5% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both IETC and SPY?

IETC and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between IETC and SPY?

IETC and SPY share 67 common holdings with a 42.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 539 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, IETC or SPY?

IETC yields 0.39% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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