PSTR vs SPY
PSTR vs SPY
PeakShares Sector Rotation ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PSTR | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $64M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 4.90% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 250 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +12.19% | +13.10% | |
| 1Y Return | +20.53% | +22.80% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.98% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.20% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.7% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -13.7% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | PeakShares LLC | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
PSTR vs SPY Performance
PeakShares Sector Rotation ETF (PSTR) is a ETF from PeakShares LLC and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year PSTR returned +20.53% while SPY returned +22.80%. Year to date, PSTR is up 12.19% versus a gain of 13.10% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 7.7% for PSTR. 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 -13.7% for PSTR 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSTR charges 1.07% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $9 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSTR currently yields 4.90% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
PSTR and SPY share 49 holdings out of 539 unique holdings combined, representing a 16.3% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSTR | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 1.34% | 7.31% | 5.97% |
| AAPL | 0.74% | 7.09% | 6.35% |
| MSFT | 0.72% | 4.43% | 3.71% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMD | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MRK | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings PSTR 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, PSTR or SPY?
PSTR has an expense ratio of 1.07% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $98 per year of difference.
Which performed better, PSTR or SPY?
Over the past year PSTR returned +20.53% vs +22.80% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PSTR annualized +17.60% vs +8.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, PSTR or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 7.7% for PSTR. Worst drawdown: PSTR -13.7% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both PSTR and SPY?
PSTR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 PSTR and SPY?
PSTR and SPY share 49 common holdings with a 16.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 539 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSTR or SPY?
PSTR yields 4.90% while SPY yields 1.01%, so PSTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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