JUST vs SPY

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: JUSTMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJUSTSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.20%0.09%
AUM$550M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.96%1.01%
Holdings467505
YTD Return+15.11%+13.10%
1Y Return+24.92%+22.80%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.17%+20.98%
5Y Return (annualized)+12.76%+13.20%
Volatility (annualized)16.8%15.3%
Max Drawdown-33.8%-56.5%
Fund FamilyGoldman Sachs Asset ManagementState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJun 7, 2018Jan 22, 1993

JUST vs SPY Performance

Goldman Sachs JUST US Large Cap Equity ETF (JUST) is a ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year JUST returned +24.92% while SPY returned +22.80%. Year to date, JUST is up 15.11% versus a gain of 13.10% for SPY.

Over three years, JUST compounded at +21.17% per year against +20.98% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.76% and +13.20% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, JUST has the edge at +14.15% annualized vs +8.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

JUST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% 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 -33.8% for JUST 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 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

JUST charges 0.20% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $9 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JUST currently yields 0.96% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

81.1%overlap

JUST and SPY share 334 holdings out of 629 unique holdings combined, representing a 81.1% weight overlap.

High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in JUSTWeight in SPYDifference
AAPL8.14%7.09%1.05%
NVDA7.71%7.31%0.40%
MSFT4.84%4.43%0.41%
AMZNProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
AVGOProProPro
GOOGProProPro
JPM:USProProPro
MUProProPro
LLYProProPro
See all 10 holdings JUST 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, JUST or SPY?

JUST has an expense ratio of 0.20% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $11 per year of difference.

Which performed better, JUST or SPY?

Over the past year JUST returned +24.92% vs +22.80% for SPY, so JUST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), JUST annualized +14.15% vs +8.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, JUST or SPY?

JUST has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: JUST -33.8% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both JUST and SPY?

JUST and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.

What is the holdings overlap between JUST and SPY?

JUST and SPY share 334 common holdings with a 81.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 629 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, JUST or SPY?

JUST yields 0.96% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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