DAPR vs SPY
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DAPR or SPY?
Multi Alternative 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 | DAPR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $321M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 10 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +5.69% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.92% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.47% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.33% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.4%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.5%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,592 | $18,728Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 19, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.4 years).
DAPR 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
DAPR vs SPY Performance
FT Vest US Equity Deep Buffer ETF - April (DAPR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year DAPR returned +7.92% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, DAPR is up 5.69% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, DAPR compounded at +10.47% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +6.33% and +13.37% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 6.4% for DAPR. 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 -10.5% for DAPR 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DAPR charges 0.85% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $9 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DAPR currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DAPR 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, DAPR or SPY?
DAPR has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DAPR or SPY?
Over the past year DAPR returned +7.92% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DAPR or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 6.4% for DAPR. Worst drawdown: DAPR -10.5% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both DAPR and SPY?
DAPR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, DAPR or SPY?
DAPR yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DAPR?
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.