JIII 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

MetricJIIISPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.54%0.09%
AUM$171M$789.1B
Dividend Yield7.81%1.01%
Holdings436505
YTD Return+1.17%+9.93%
1Y Return+4.97%+19.50%
3Y Return (annualized)-+19.33%
5Y Return (annualized)-+12.82%
Volatility (annualized)2.6%15.3%
Max Drawdown-3.5%-56.5%
Fund FamilyJanus Henderson InvestorsState Street Investment Management
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
InceptionNov 12, 2024Jan 22, 1993

JIII vs SPY Performance

Janus Henderson Income ETF (JIII) is a ETF from Janus Henderson Investors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year JIII returned +4.97% while SPY returned +19.50%. Year to date, JIII is up 1.17% versus a gain of 9.93% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 2.6% for JIII. 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 -3.5% for JIII 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 0.60. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

Fees and Cost Over Time

JIII charges 0.54% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $9 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JIII currently yields 7.81% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

0.2%overlap

JIII and SPY share 3 holdings out of 655 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.2% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in JIIIWeight in SPYDifference
GM0.34%0.11%0.23%
CNP0.28%0.04%0.24%
LEN0.10%0.03%0.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, JIII or SPY?

JIII has an expense ratio of 0.54% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $45 per year of difference.

Which performed better, JIII or SPY?

Over the past year JIII returned +4.97% vs +19.50% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), JIII annualized +5.82% vs +8.74% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, JIII or SPY?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 2.6% for JIII. Worst drawdown: JIII -3.5% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both JIII and SPY?

JIII and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between JIII and SPY?

JIII and SPY share 3 common holdings with a 0.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 655 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, JIII or SPY?

JIII yields 7.81% while SPY yields 1.01%, so JIII currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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