COLO vs SPY
Global X MSCI Colombia ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, COLO or SPY?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. COLO 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 | COLO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $215M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.23% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 30 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +42.13%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +63.07%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.36%Best | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.45%Best | +12.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.7% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.1% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,318Best | $18,270 |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 5, 2009 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 9, 2009 to Sep 4, 2026 (17.6 years).
COLO 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 17.6 years both funds cover.
COLO vs SPY Performance
Global X MSCI Colombia ETF (COLO) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year COLO returned +63.07% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, COLO is up 42.13% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, COLO compounded at +45.36% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +19.45% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.69% annualized vs +4.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
COLO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.7% compared with 14.5% 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 -83.1% for COLO 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
COLO charges 0.62% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $9 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, COLO currently yields 4.23% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in COLO and 503 in SPY, totalling 81.2% and 100.0% 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 24 positions we hold weights for in COLO and 503 in SPY, against full books of 30 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of COLO 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, COLO or SPY?
COLO has an expense ratio of 0.62% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, COLO or SPY?
Over the past year COLO returned +63.07% vs +19.97% for SPY, so COLO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), COLO annualized +4.78% vs +13.69% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, COLO or SPY?
COLO has been the more volatile fund at 26.7% annualized versus 14.5% for SPY. Worst drawdown: COLO -83.1% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both COLO and SPY?
COLO and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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, COLO or SPY?
COLO yields 4.23% while SPY yields 1.01%, so COLO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than COLO?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. COLO 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.