DTRE vs SPY
First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, DTRE or SPY?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.8%.
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 | DTRE | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $15M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.62% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 36 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.36% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.72% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.39% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.57% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.8% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.5% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,779 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.8% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 27, 2007 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 30, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19 years).
DTRE 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 19 years both funds cover.
DTRE vs SPY Performance
First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF (DTRE) 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 DTRE returned +11.72% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, DTRE is up 8.36% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, DTRE compounded at +4.39% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -2.57% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.56% annualized vs -0.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DTRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.8% compared with 15.6% 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 -73.5% for DTRE and -56.5% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DTRE charges 0.60% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $9 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DTRE currently yields 3.62% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
39.9% of DTRE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.7% of SPY's money is in holdings DTRE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
6 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DTRE and 504 in SPY, against full books of 36 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 490 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for DTRE (98.8% of the fund), and 9 for DTRE that do not appear in SPY (36.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DTRE | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 7.15% | 0.10% | 7.05% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.71% | 0.16% | 6.55% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 6.70% | 0.12% | 6.58% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 6.55% | 0.19% | 6.36% |
| SBACSba Communications Corp. Class A Real Estate Investment Tru | 6.43% | 0.03% | 6.40% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 6.33% | 0.05% | 6.28% |
39.9% of DTRE is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DTRE or SPY?
DTRE has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DTRE or SPY?
Over the past year DTRE returned +11.72% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), DTRE annualized -0.27% vs +9.56% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DTRE or SPY?
DTRE has been the more volatile fund at 20.8% annualized versus 15.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: DTRE -73.5% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both DTRE and SPY?
DTRE and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DTRE and SPY?
39.9% of DTRE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.7% of SPY's is in holdings DTRE also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DTRE and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, DTRE or SPY?
DTRE yields 3.62% while SPY yields 1.01%, so DTRE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than DTRE?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.