BCIM vs SPY
abrdn Bloomberg Industrial Metals Strategy K-1 Free ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BCIM 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 | BCIM | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.36% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 27 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.4% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $10,029 | $16,333Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 279 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BCIM has data through Dec 3, 2025 and SPY through Sep 8, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2021 to Dec 3, 2025 (4.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BCIM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 15.9% 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 -43.4% for BCIM and -24.5% 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BCIM charges 0.40% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $9 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BCIM currently yields 10.36% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 13 holdings in BCIM and 503 in SPY, totalling 33.3% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 277 days apart, BCIM as of Oct 31, 2025 and SPY as of Aug 4, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 13 positions we hold weights for in BCIM and 503 in SPY, against full books of 27 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BCIM 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, BCIM or SPY?
BCIM has an expense ratio of 0.40% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BCIM or SPY?
BCIM has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 15.9% for SPY. Worst drawdown: BCIM -43.4% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both BCIM and SPY?
BCIM and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, BCIM or SPY?
BCIM yields 10.36% while SPY yields 1.01%, so BCIM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BCIM?
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.