SPY vs XYLD
SPY vs XYLD
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Global X S&P 500 Covered Call 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 | XYLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.60% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $3.2B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 10.37% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 507 | |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +8.39% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.37% | +18.37% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.76% | +11.87% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.94% | +7.80% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 11.2% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -34.7% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Global X by mirae Asset | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 21, 2013 |
SPY vs XYLD Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is a ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year SPY returned +21.37% while XYLD returned +18.37%. Year to date, SPY is up 11.49% versus a gain of 8.39% for XYLD.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.76% per year against +11.87% for XYLD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.94% and +7.80% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.78% annualized vs +4.93%. 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 11.2% for XYLD. 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 -34.7% for XYLD. 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XYLD charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $60 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 10.37% for XYLD.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XYLD share 479 holdings out of 517 unique holdings combined, representing a 95.1% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in XYLD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.31% | 8.73% | 1.42% |
| AAPL | 7.09% | 7.03% | 0.06% |
| MSFT | 4.43% | 5.02% | 0.59% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with XYLD 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 XYLD?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XYLD charges 0.60%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $51 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or XYLD?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.37% vs +18.37% for XYLD, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SPY annualized +8.78% vs +4.93% for XYLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or XYLD?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 11.2% for XYLD. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XYLD -34.7%.
Should I hold both SPY and XYLD?
SPY and XYLD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XYLD?
SPY and XYLD share 479 common holdings with a 95.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 517 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XYLD?
SPY yields 1.01% while XYLD yields 10.37%, so XYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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