EDF vs SPY
Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EDF or SPY?
Emerging Markets 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 | EDF | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.56% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $164M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 14.46% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 123 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +16.87%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +18.10% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.54% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.30% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.6% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.8% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,946 | $18,270Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 23, 2010 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.7 years).
EDF 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
EDF vs SPY Performance
Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets Income Fund (EDF) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year EDF returned +18.10% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, EDF is up 16.87% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, EDF compounded at +20.54% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +5.30% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.78% annualized vs -4.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EDF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.6% compared with 14.1% 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 -83.8% for EDF 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EDF charges 2.56% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $256 vs $9 annually, a gap of $247 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EDF currently yields 14.46% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 39 holdings in EDF and 504 in SPY, totalling 44.6% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 67 days apart, EDF as of May 29, 2026 and SPY as of Aug 4, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in EDF and 504 in SPY, against full books of 123 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EDF 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, EDF or SPY?
EDF has an expense ratio of 2.56% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $247 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EDF or SPY?
Over the past year EDF returned +18.10% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EDF annualized -4.81% vs +12.78% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EDF or SPY?
EDF has been the more volatile fund at 25.6% annualized versus 14.1% for SPY. Worst drawdown: EDF -83.8% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both EDF and SPY?
EDF and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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, EDF or SPY?
EDF yields 14.46% while SPY yields 1.01%, so EDF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EDF?
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.