SPY vs XTR

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

MetricSPYXTRWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.25%
AUM$789.1B$5M
Dividend Yield1.01%16.52%
Holdings505506
YTD Return+13.10%+10.35%
1Y Return+22.80%+18.17%
3Y Return (annualized)+20.98%+17.12%
5Y Return (annualized)+13.20%+9.82%
Volatility (annualized)15.3%13.8%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-20.8%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementGlobal X by mirae Asset
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Aug 25, 2021

SPY vs XTR Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Global X S&P 500 Tail Risk ETF (XTR) is a ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% while XTR returned +18.17%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.10% versus a gain of 10.35% for XTR.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.98% per year against +17.12% for XTR; over five years the annualized figures are +13.20% and +9.82% respectively. Across the full 5-year window we track, XTR has the edge at +9.82% annualized vs +8.83%. 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 13.8% for XTR. 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 -20.8% for XTR. 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 0.98. 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 XTR charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $25 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 16.52% for XTR.

Holdings Overlap

53.8%overlap

SPY and XTR share 463 holdings out of 506 unique holdings combined, representing a 53.8% weight overlap.

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

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in XTRDifference
LRCX0.68%7.33%6.65%
WMT0.75%6.42%5.67%
AAPL7.09%0.01%7.08%
AVGOProProPro
CATProProPro
MSFTProProPro
CSCOProProPro
ABBVProProPro
AMZNProProPro
TSLAProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with XTR
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or XTR?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XTR charges 0.25%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $16 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or XTR?

Over the past year SPY returned +22.80% vs +18.17% for XTR, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), SPY annualized +8.83% vs +9.82% for XTR. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or XTR?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.8% for XTR. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XTR -20.8%.

Should I hold both SPY and XTR?

SPY and XTR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 XTR?

SPY and XTR share 463 common holdings with a 53.8% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 506 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XTR?

SPY yields 1.01% while XTR yields 16.52%, so XTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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