AAPR vs SPY
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2026 vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, AAPR or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AAPR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $73M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 14 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +4.54% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.68% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.0%Best | 11.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.0%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $11,938 | $14,919Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.4 years).
AAPR vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.4 years both funds cover.
AAPR vs SPY Performance
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to April 2026 (AAPR) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year AAPR returned +6.68% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, AAPR is up 4.54% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 3.0% for AAPR. 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 -6.0% for AAPR and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AAPR charges 0.79% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $9 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AAPR currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in AAPR and 504 in SPY, totalling 110.4% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in AAPR and 504 in SPY, against full books of 14 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AAPR and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AAPR or SPY?
AAPR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AAPR or SPY?
Over the past year AAPR returned +6.68% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AAPR annualized +7.66% vs +18.14% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AAPR or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 3.0% for AAPR. Worst drawdown: AAPR -6.0% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both AAPR and SPY?
AAPR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAPR or SPY?
AAPR yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than AAPR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.