ARLU vs SPY

ARLU vs SPY

Which is better, ARLU or SPY?

Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPY

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

MetricARLUSPY
Expense Ratio0.74%0.09%Best
AUM$55M$804.7B
Dividend Yield0.00%0.98%
Holdings4505
YTD Return+6.51%+12.09%Best
1Y Return+9.27%+16.29%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.20%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.37%
Volatility (annualized)10.3%Best11.8%
Max Drawdown-15.4%Best-18.8%
$10,000 over 2.5 years$12,966$15,071Best
Fund FamilyAllianzIMState Street Investment Management
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleMulti AlternativeLarge Cap Blend
InceptionMar 28, 2024Jan 22, 1993

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.5 years).

ARLU 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 2.5 years both funds cover.

ARLU vs SPY Performance

AllianzIM US Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) is an ETF from AllianzIM and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ARLU returned +9.27% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, ARLU is up 6.51% versus a gain of 12.09% 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 10.3% for ARLU. 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 -15.4% for ARLU 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 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

ARLU charges 0.74% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $9 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARLU currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of ARLU and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

ARLUSPY

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, ARLU or SPY?

ARLU has an expense ratio of 0.74% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, ARLU or SPY?

Over the past year ARLU returned +9.27% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, ARLU or SPY?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 10.3% for ARLU. Worst drawdown: ARLU -15.4% vs SPY -18.8%.

Should I hold both ARLU and SPY?

ARLU and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, ARLU or SPY?

ARLU yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is SPY better than ARLU?

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.