SPY vs XPND
SPY vs XPND
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs First Trust Expanded Technology 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 | XPND | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.65% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $38M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.07% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 51 | |
| YTD Return | +13.10% | +10.36% | |
| 1Y Return | +22.80% | +16.46% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.98% | +22.95% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.20% | +12.99% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 21.8% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -38.0% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 14, 2021 |
SPY vs XPND Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% while XPND returned +16.46%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.10% versus a gain of 10.36% for XPND.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.98% per year against +22.95% for XPND; over five years the annualized figures are +13.20% and +12.99% respectively. Across the full 5-year window we track, XPND has the edge at +14.39% annualized vs +8.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XPND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.8% 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 -38.0% for XPND. 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 0.91. 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 XPND charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $65 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.07% for XPND.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XPND share 41 holdings out of 512 unique holdings combined, representing a 25.2% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in XPND | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.31% | 4.47% | 2.84% |
| AAPL | 7.09% | 4.64% | 2.45% |
| GOOGL | 3.32% | 4.40% | 1.08% |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMAT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| V | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LRCX | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| CSCO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| NFLX | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with XPND 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 XPND?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XPND charges 0.65%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $56 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or XPND?
Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% vs +16.46% for XPND, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), SPY annualized +8.83% vs +14.39% for XPND. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or XPND?
XPND has been the more volatile fund at 21.8% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XPND -38.0%.
Should I hold both SPY and XPND?
SPY and XPND have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 XPND?
SPY and XPND share 41 common holdings with a 25.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 512 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XPND?
SPY yields 1.01% while XPND yields 0.07%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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