BNDC vs SPY
Northern Trust Core Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BNDC or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
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 | BNDC | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $170M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.19% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 14 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -1.62% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.79% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.93% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.91% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.2%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,553 | $18,728Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2016 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 22, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.8 years).
BNDC 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.
BNDC vs SPY Performance
Northern Trust Core Bond ETF (BNDC) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BNDC returned -0.79% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, BNDC is down 1.62% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, BNDC compounded at +3.93% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -0.91% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.31% annualized vs +0.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 5.2% for BNDC. 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 -23.2% for BNDC 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 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BNDC charges 0.35% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $9 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BNDC currently yields 4.19% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in BNDC and 504 in SPY, totalling 89.7% 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 7 positions we hold weights for in BNDC and 504 in SPY, against full books of 14 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BNDC 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, BNDC or SPY?
BNDC has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BNDC or SPY?
Over the past year BNDC returned -0.79% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), BNDC annualized +0.25% vs +14.31% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BNDC or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 5.2% for BNDC. Worst drawdown: BNDC -23.2% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both BNDC and SPY?
BNDC and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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, BNDC or SPY?
BNDC yields 4.19% while SPY yields 0.98%, so BNDC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BNDC?
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.