SPY vs STRV

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: STRVHigher Returns: STRVMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPYSTRVWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.05%
AUM$789.1B$1.1B
Dividend Yield1.01%1.05%
Holdings505507
YTD Return+11.49%+8.12%
1Y Return+21.37%+25.71%
3Y Return (annualized)+20.76%+21.65%
5Y Return (annualized)+12.94%-
Volatility (annualized)15.3%13.8%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-19.0%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementStrive Asset Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Sep 15, 2022

SPY vs STRV Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Strive 500 ETF (STRV) is a ETF from Strive Asset Management. Over the past year SPY returned +21.37% while STRV returned +25.71%. Year to date, SPY is up 11.49% versus a gain of 8.12% for STRV.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.76% per year against +21.65% for STRV. Across the full 4-year window we track, STRV has the edge at +20.71% annualized vs +8.78%. 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 13.8% for STRV. 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 -19.0% for STRV. 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 STRV charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $5 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 1.05% for STRV.

Holdings Overlap

88.3%overlap

SPY and STRV share 418 holdings out of 581 unique holdings combined, representing a 88.3% weight overlap.

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

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in STRVDifference
NVDA7.31%7.33%0.02%
AAPL7.09%6.58%0.51%
MSFT4.43%4.88%0.45%
AMZNProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
AVGOProProPro
GOOGProProPro
METAProProPro
TSLAProProPro
LLYProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with STRV
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, SPY or STRV?

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

Which performed better, SPY or STRV?

Over the past year SPY returned +21.37% vs +25.71% for STRV, so STRV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SPY annualized +8.78% vs +20.71% for STRV. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or STRV?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.8% for STRV. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs STRV -19.0%.

Should I hold both SPY and STRV?

SPY and STRV 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 STRV?

SPY and STRV share 418 common holdings with a 88.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 581 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or STRV?

SPY yields 1.01% while STRV yields 1.05%, so STRV 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 →