BCSM vs SPY
Baron SMID Cap ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BCSM or SPY?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio.
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 | BCSM | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | - | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 58 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +1.61% | +13.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.97% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.73% |
| Fund Family | Baron Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
BCSM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
BCSM vs SPY Performance
Baron SMID Cap ETF (BCSM) is an ETF from Baron Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, BCSM is up 1.61% versus a gain of 13.82% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BCSM charges 0.75% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $9 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BCSM currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.4% of SPY's money is in holdings BCSM also owns.
Stated as a floor: for BCSM, our book for it covers 93.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPY and BCSM share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in BCSM and 504 in SPY, against full books of 58 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BCSM | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AXONAxon Enterprise Inc | 4.13% | 0.06% | 4.07% |
| WYNNWynn Resorts Ltd. | 2.12% | 0.01% | 2.11% |
| COHRCoherent Corp | 2.03% | 0.08% | 1.95% |
| EWEdwards Lifesciences Corp | 2.02% | 0.08% | 1.94% |
| HLTHilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | 1.94% | 0.11% | 1.83% |
| MSCIM S C I Inc. | 1.96% | 0.06% | 1.90% |
| VMCVulcan Materials Co. | 1.70% | 0.05% | 1.65% |
| CMGChipotle Mexican Grill Inc. Class A | 1.42% | 0.07% | 1.35% |
| ROLRollins Inc. | 1.42% | 0.02% | 1.40% |
| AMEAmetek Inc | 1.28% | 0.08% | 1.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BCSM 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, BCSM or SPY?
BCSM has an expense ratio of 0.75% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between BCSM and SPY?
At least 1.4% of SPY's money is in holdings BCSM also owns. Our book for BCSM is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in BCSM and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, BCSM or SPY?
BCSM yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BCSM?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.