SPY vs SYFI
SPY vs SYFI
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs AB Short Duration High Yield ETF
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 | SPY | SYFI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.40% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $924M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 5.29% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 568 | |
| YTD Return | +13.10% | +2.08% | |
| 1Y Return | +22.80% | +4.63% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.98% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.20% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 2.4% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -4.8% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | AllianceBernstein L.P. | |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 10, 2024 |
SPY vs SYFI Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and AB Short Duration High Yield ETF (SYFI) is a ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P.. Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% while SYFI returned +4.63%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.10% versus a gain of 2.08% for SYFI.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 2.4% for SYFI. 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 -4.8% for SYFI. 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SYFI charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $40 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 5.29% for SYFI.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and SYFI share 1 holdings out of 868 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in SYFI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.38% | 0.02% | 0.36% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or SYFI?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SYFI charges 0.40%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $31 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or SYFI?
Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% vs +4.63% for SYFI, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.83% vs +6.41% for SYFI. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or SYFI?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 2.4% for SYFI. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs SYFI -4.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and SYFI?
SPY and SYFI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and SYFI?
SPY and SYFI share 1 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 868 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SYFI?
SPY yields 1.01% while SYFI yields 5.29%, so SYFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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