SFY vs SPY

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: SFYHigher Returns: SFYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSFYSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.05%0.09%
AUM$649M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.84%1.01%
Holdings506505
YTD Return+16.11%+13.79%
1Y Return+26.75%+23.66%
3Y Return (annualized)+25.83%+21.40%
5Y Return (annualized)+14.64%+13.37%
Volatility (annualized)17.8%15.3%
Max Drawdown-33.3%-56.5%
Fund FamilySoFiState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionApr 10, 2019Jan 22, 1993

SFY vs SPY Performance

Sofi Select 500 ETF (SFY) is a ETF from SoFi and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SFY returned +26.75% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, SFY is up 16.11% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.

Over three years, SFY compounded at +25.83% per year against +21.40% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +14.64% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, SFY has the edge at +17.56% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SFY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% 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 -33.3% for SFY 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SFY charges 0.05% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $9 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SFY currently yields 0.84% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

76.0%overlap

SFY and SPY share 429 holdings out of 566 unique holdings combined, representing a 76.0% weight overlap.

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

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SFYWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA13.72%7.31%6.41%
AAPL4.39%7.09%2.70%
MSFT4.42%4.43%0.01%
AVGOProProPro
AMZNProProPro
GOOGProProPro
METAProProPro
MUProProPro
LLYProProPro
TSLAProProPro
See all 10 holdings SFY 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, SFY or SPY?

SFY has an expense ratio of 0.05% while SPY charges 0.09%. SFY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $4 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SFY or SPY?

Over the past year SFY returned +26.75% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SFY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), SFY annualized +17.56% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SFY or SPY?

SFY has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SFY -33.3% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both SFY and SPY?

SFY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 SFY and SPY?

SFY and SPY share 429 common holdings with a 76.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 566 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SFY or SPY?

SFY yields 0.84% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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