ALTY vs SPY
Global X Alternative Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, ALTY or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 88.4%.
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 | ALTY | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $49M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.54% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 21 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +5.07% | +12.99%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.11% | +16.73%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.72% | +22.52%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.23% | +13.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.1% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,903 | $18,481Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 88.4% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2015 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2015 to Sep 23, 2026 (11.2 years).
ALTY 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 11.2 years both funds cover.
ALTY vs SPY Performance
Global X Alternative Income ETF (ALTY) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ALTY returned +9.11% while SPY returned +16.73%. Year to date, ALTY is up 5.07% versus a gain of 12.99% for SPY.
Over three years, ALTY compounded at +11.72% per year against +22.52% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +5.23% and +13.07% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.99% annualized vs +1.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ALTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 15.2% 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 -60.1% for ALTY and -34.1% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ALTY charges 0.50% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $9 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ALTY currently yields 7.54% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
2.5% of ALTY's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.1% of SPY's money is in holdings ALTY also owns.
ALTY and SPY share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in ALTY and 504 in SPY, against full books of 21 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 19 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 495 positions ALTY does not, 99.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.01%, AAPL 7.26%, MSFT 5.66%, AMZN 3.79%, GOOGL 2.99%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ALTY 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, ALTY or SPY?
ALTY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ALTY or SPY?
Over the past year ALTY returned +9.11% vs +16.73% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), ALTY annualized +1.62% vs +12.99% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ALTY or SPY?
ALTY has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 15.2% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ALTY -60.1% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both ALTY and SPY?
ALTY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ALTY and SPY?
2.5% of ALTY's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.1% of SPY's is in holdings ALTY also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 19 positions we hold weights for in ALTY and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, ALTY or SPY?
ALTY yields 7.54% while SPY yields 0.98%, so ALTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than ALTY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 88.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.