SPY vs TOUS
SPY vs TOUS
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs T. Rowe Price International Equity ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. TOUS delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | TOUS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.50% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $1.6B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 1.58% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 347 | |
| YTD Return | +9.93% | +11.53% | |
| 1Y Return | +19.50% | +24.94% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.33% | +16.25% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.82% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 13.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -14.3% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | T.Rowe Price | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 14, 2023 |
SPY vs TOUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and T. Rowe Price International Equity ETF (TOUS) is a ETF from T.Rowe Price. Over the past year SPY returned +19.50% while TOUS returned +24.94%. Year to date, SPY is up 9.93% versus a gain of 11.53% for TOUS.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +19.33% per year against +16.25% for TOUS. Across the full 3-year window we track, TOUS has the edge at +15.56% 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 13.3% for TOUS. 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 -14.3% for TOUS. 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 0.65. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while TOUS charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $50 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 1.58% for TOUS.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and TOUS share 1 holdings out of 664 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 TOUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VST | 0.08% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or TOUS?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TOUS charges 0.50%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $41 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or TOUS?
Over the past year SPY returned +19.50% vs +24.94% for TOUS, so TOUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), SPY annualized +8.74% vs +15.56% for TOUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or TOUS?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.3% for TOUS. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs TOUS -14.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and TOUS?
SPY and TOUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and TOUS?
SPY and TOUS share 1 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 664 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or TOUS?
SPY yields 1.01% while TOUS yields 1.58%, so TOUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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