BILS vs SPY
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BILS or SPY?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | BILS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.72% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 25 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +2.35% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.57% | +15.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.49% | +20.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.50% | +12.53%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.7%Best | 15.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.4%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,877 | $18,044Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2020 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2020 to Sep 16, 2026 (6 years).
BILS 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 6 years both funds cover.
BILS vs SPY Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg 3-12 Month T-Bill ETF (BILS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BILS returned +3.57% while SPY returned +15.52%. Year to date, BILS is up 2.35% versus a gain of 10.96% for SPY.
Over three years, BILS compounded at +4.49% per year against +20.73% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +3.50% and +12.53% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +16.65% annualized vs +2.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 0.7% for BILS. 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 -0.4% for BILS 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 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BILS charges 0.14% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $9 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BILS currently yields 3.72% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in BILS and 504 in SPY, totalling 2.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in BILS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 25 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BILS 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, BILS or SPY?
BILS has an expense ratio of 0.14% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BILS or SPY?
Over the past year BILS returned +3.57% vs +15.52% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BILS annualized +2.91% vs +16.65% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BILS or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 0.7% for BILS. Worst drawdown: BILS -0.4% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both BILS and SPY?
BILS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, 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, BILS or SPY?
BILS yields 3.72% while SPY yields 0.98%, so BILS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BILS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.