SPY vs XVV

Quick Verdict

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

Lower Fees: XVVHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPYXVVWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.08%
AUM$789.1B$640M
Dividend Yield1.01%0.94%
Holdings505448
YTD Return+13.79%+12.98%
1Y Return+23.66%+22.76%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.40%+21.48%
5Y Return (annualized)+13.37%+13.07%
Volatility (annualized)15.3%16.1%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-27.2%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementiShares by BlackRock (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Sep 22, 2020

SPY vs XVV Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and iShares ESG Select Screened S&P 500 ETF (XVV) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% while XVV returned +22.76%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a gain of 12.98% for XVV.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.40% per year against +21.48% for XVV; over five years the annualized figures are +13.37% and +13.07% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, XVV has the edge at +17.26% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

XVV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 XVV. 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 XVV charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $8 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.94% for XVV.

Holdings Overlap

86.5%overlap

SPY and XVV share 429 holdings out of 512 unique holdings combined, representing a 86.5% weight overlap.

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

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in XVVDifference
NVDA7.31%8.19%0.88%
AAPL7.09%7.94%0.85%
MSFT4.43%4.97%0.54%
AMZNProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
AVGOProProPro
GOOGProProPro
METAProProPro
TSLAProProPro
MUProProPro
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with XVV
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or XVV?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XVV charges 0.08%. XVV is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $1 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or XVV?

Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% vs +22.76% for XVV, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +17.26% for XVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or XVV?

XVV has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XVV -27.2%.

Should I hold both SPY and XVV?

SPY and XVV 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 XVV?

SPY and XVV share 429 common holdings with a 86.5% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 512 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XVV?

SPY yields 1.01% while XVV yields 0.94%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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