SPY vs WRND

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: WRNDMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPYWRNDWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.18%
AUM$789.1B$10M
Dividend Yield1.01%0.92%
Holdings505216
YTD Return+13.28%+15.94%
1Y Return+23.94%+32.00%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.07%+21.05%
5Y Return (annualized)+13.27%-
Volatility (annualized)15.3%17.3%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-27.2%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementINDEXIQ ETF TRUST
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Feb 8, 2022

SPY vs WRND Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) is a ETF from INDEXIQ ETF TRUST. Over the past year SPY returned +23.94% while WRND returned +32.00%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.28% versus a gain of 15.94% for WRND.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.07% per year against +21.05% for WRND. Across the full 5-year window we track, WRND has the edge at +14.59% annualized vs +8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

WRND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% 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 -27.2% for WRND. 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 0.92. 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 WRND charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $18 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.92% for WRND.

Holdings Overlap

40.9%overlap

SPY and WRND share 65 holdings out of 643 unique holdings combined, representing a 40.9% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in WRNDDifference
NVDA7.31%7.28%0.03%
AAPL7.09%6.37%0.72%
GOOGL3.32%7.92%4.60%
MSFTProProPro
AMZNProProPro
AVGOProProPro
METAProProPro
LLYProProPro
ETNProProPro
ORCLProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with WRND
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or WRND?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WRND charges 0.18%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $9 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or WRND?

Over the past year SPY returned +23.94% vs +32.00% for WRND, so WRND leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), SPY annualized +8.84% vs +14.59% for WRND. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or WRND?

WRND has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs WRND -27.2%.

Should I hold both SPY and WRND?

SPY and WRND have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 WRND?

SPY and WRND share 65 common holdings with a 40.9% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 643 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or WRND?

SPY yields 1.01% while WRND yields 0.92%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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