SMCO vs SPY
SMCO vs SPY
Hilton Small-MidCap Opportunity 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 | SMCO | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $142M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 64 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +11.95% | +13.10% | |
| 1Y Return | +18.25% | +22.80% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.98% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.20% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -22.7% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | Hilton Capital Management | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
SMCO vs SPY Performance
Hilton Small-MidCap Opportunity ETF (SMCO) is a ETF from Hilton Capital Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SMCO returned +18.25% while SPY returned +22.80%. Year to date, SMCO is up 11.95% versus a gain of 13.10% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% 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 -22.7% for SMCO 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCO charges 0.55% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $9 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMCO currently yields 0.87% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
SMCO and SPY share 14 holdings out of 552 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.6% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMCO | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIEN | 2.55% | 0.09% | 2.46% |
| TDY | 2.25% | 0.05% | 2.20% |
| WST | 2.18% | 0.04% | 2.14% |
| EQT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AKAM | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| EME | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| STE | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| JKHY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| J | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LYV | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SMCO 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, SMCO or SPY?
SMCO has an expense ratio of 0.55% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $46 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SMCO or SPY?
Over the past year SMCO returned +18.25% vs +22.80% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), SMCO annualized +17.50% vs +8.83% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SMCO or SPY?
SMCO has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SMCO -22.7% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both SMCO and SPY?
SMCO and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SMCO and SPY?
SMCO and SPY share 14 common holdings with a 0.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 552 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMCO or SPY?
SMCO yields 0.87% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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