SPUT vs SPY

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPUTSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.79%0.09%
AUM$17M$789.1B
Dividend Yield5.14%1.01%
Holdings503505
YTD Return+8.16%+13.50%
1Y Return+15.07%+23.56%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.17%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.46%
Volatility (annualized)7.0%15.3%
Max Drawdown-10.6%-56.5%
Fund FamilyInnovator ETFs TrustState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionMar 14, 2025Jan 22, 1993

SPUT vs SPY Performance

Innovator Equity Premium Income - Daily PutWrite ETF (SPUT) is a ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SPUT returned +15.07% while SPY returned +23.56%. Year to date, SPUT is up 8.16% versus a gain of 13.50% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 7.0% for SPUT. 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 -10.6% for SPUT 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPUT charges 0.79% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $9 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPUT currently yields 5.14% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

44.7%overlap

SPUT and SPY share 417 holdings out of 583 unique holdings combined, representing a 44.7% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPUTWeight in SPYDifference
NVDA3.54%7.31%3.77%
AAPL3.18%7.09%3.91%
MSFT2.34%4.43%2.09%
AMZNProProPro
GOOGProProPro
AVGOProProPro
METAProProPro
TSLAProProPro
LLYProProPro
JPMProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPUT 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, SPUT or SPY?

SPUT has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $70 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPUT or SPY?

Over the past year SPUT returned +15.07% vs +23.56% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SPUT annualized +15.57% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPUT or SPY?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 7.0% for SPUT. Worst drawdown: SPUT -10.6% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both SPUT and SPY?

SPUT and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 SPUT and SPY?

SPUT and SPY share 417 common holdings with a 44.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 583 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPUT or SPY?

SPUT yields 5.14% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPUT currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.

See inside every ETF you own
$29/moCancel anytime.
Try FundXLS →