SPY vs SPYX

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

MetricSPYSPYXWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.20%
AUM$789.1B$2.7B
Dividend Yield1.01%0.86%
Holdings505491
YTD Return+9.93%+9.47%
1Y Return+19.50%+19.04%
3Y Return (annualized)+19.33%+19.26%
5Y Return (annualized)+12.82%+12.33%
Volatility (annualized)15.3%15.3%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-33.2%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Nov 30, 2015

SPY vs SPYX Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (SPYX) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SPY returned +19.50% while SPYX returned +19.04%. Year to date, SPY is up 9.93% versus a gain of 9.47% for SPYX.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +19.33% per year against +19.26% for SPYX; over five years the annualized figures are +12.82% and +12.33% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SPYX has the edge at +13.51% annualized vs +8.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 15.3% for SPYX. 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 -56.5% for SPY and -33.2% for SPYX. 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 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPY charges 0.09% per year while SPYX charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $20 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.86% for SPYX.

Holdings Overlap

96.7%overlap

SPY and SPYX share 486 holdings out of 507 unique holdings combined, representing a 96.7% weight overlap.

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

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in SPYXDifference
NVDA7.31%7.54%0.23%
AAPL7.09%7.31%0.22%
MSFT4.43%4.57%0.14%
AMZNProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
AVGOProProPro
GOOGProProPro
METAProProPro
TSLAProProPro
MUProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with SPYX
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or SPYX?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SPYX charges 0.20%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $11 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or SPYX?

Over the past year SPY returned +19.50% vs +19.04% for SPYX, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SPY annualized +8.74% vs +13.51% for SPYX. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or SPYX?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 15.3% for SPYX. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs SPYX -33.2%.

Should I hold both SPY and SPYX?

SPY and SPYX have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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 SPY and SPYX?

SPY and SPYX share 486 common holdings with a 96.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 507 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SPYX?

SPY yields 1.01% while SPYX yields 0.86%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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