RND vs SPY
RND vs SPY
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders 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 | RND | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $9M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 51 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +10.61% | +13.79% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.60% | +23.66% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.40% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -23.5% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Apr 30, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
RND vs SPY Performance
First Trust Bloomberg R&D Leaders ETF (RND) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year RND returned +21.60% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, RND is up 10.61% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% 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 -23.5% for RND 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
RND charges 0.60% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $9 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RND currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
RND and SPY share 48 holdings out of 505 unique holdings combined, representing a 45.2% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RND | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | 8.45% | 7.09% | 1.36% |
| NVDA | 8.01% | 7.31% | 0.70% |
| GOOGL | 8.61% | 3.32% | 5.29% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MSFT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMD | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings RND 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, RND or SPY?
RND has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $51 per year of difference.
Which performed better, RND or SPY?
Over the past year RND returned +21.60% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RND annualized +26.78% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, RND or SPY?
RND has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: RND -23.5% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both RND and SPY?
RND 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 RND and SPY?
RND and SPY share 48 common holdings with a 45.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 505 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, RND or SPY?
RND yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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