SPY vs TSPA

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

MetricSPYTSPAWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.34%
AUM$789.1B$4.2B
Dividend Yield1.01%0.56%
Holdings505310
YTD Return+13.10%+12.98%
1Y Return+22.80%+22.41%
3Y Return (annualized)+20.98%+21.17%
5Y Return (annualized)+13.20%+13.67%
Volatility (annualized)15.3%15.8%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-24.7%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementT.Rowe Price
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Jun 8, 2021

SPY vs TSPA Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and T Rowe Price US Equity Research ETF (TSPA) is a ETF from T.Rowe Price. Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% while TSPA returned +22.41%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.10% versus a gain of 12.98% for TSPA.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.98% per year against +21.17% for TSPA; over five years the annualized figures are +13.20% and +13.67% respectively. Across the full 5-year window we track, TSPA has the edge at +14.31% annualized vs +8.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

TSPA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 15.3% for SPY. 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 -24.7% for TSPA. 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 TSPA charges 0.34%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $34 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.56% for TSPA.

Holdings Overlap

66.6%overlap

SPY and TSPA share 255 holdings out of 555 unique holdings combined, representing a 66.6% weight overlap.

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

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in TSPADifference
AAPL7.09%6.96%0.13%
MSFT4.43%4.96%0.53%
AMZN3.69%3.77%0.08%
GOOGProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
AVGOProProPro
TSLAProProPro
LLYProProPro
JPM:USProProPro
BRK.BProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with TSPA
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or TSPA?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TSPA charges 0.34%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $25 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or TSPA?

Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% vs +22.41% for TSPA, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), SPY annualized +8.83% vs +14.31% for TSPA. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or TSPA?

TSPA has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs TSPA -24.7%.

Should I hold both SPY and TSPA?

SPY and TSPA 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 TSPA?

SPY and TSPA share 255 common holdings with a 66.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 555 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or TSPA?

SPY yields 1.01% while TSPA yields 0.56%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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