BAR vs SPY
Graniteshares Gold Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BAR or SPY?
Gold against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. BAR led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over 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 | BAR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -1.41% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.64%Best | +15.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.12%Best | +20.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.30%Best | +12.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,166Best | $18,044 |
| Fund Family | GraniteShares | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 23, 2017 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 31, 2017 to Sep 16, 2026 (9 years).
BAR 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 9 years both funds cover.
BAR vs SPY Performance
Graniteshares Gold Trust (BAR) is an ETF from GraniteShares and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BAR returned +15.64% while SPY returned +15.52%. Year to date, BAR is down 1.41% versus a gain of 10.96% for SPY.
Over three years, BAR compounded at +30.12% per year against +20.73% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.30% and +12.53% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.04% annualized vs +13.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.5% for BAR. 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 -26.3% for BAR 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 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAR charges 0.17% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $9 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAR currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BAR 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, BAR or SPY?
BAR has an expense ratio of 0.17% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAR or SPY?
Over the past year BAR returned +15.64% vs +15.52% for SPY, so BAR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), BAR annualized +13.69% vs +14.04% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAR or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.5% for BAR. Worst drawdown: BAR -26.3% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both BAR and SPY?
BAR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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, BAR or SPY?
BAR yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BAR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. BAR led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.