EKG vs SPY
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EKG or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.9%.
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 | EKG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 78 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +15.53%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +25.73%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.16% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.4% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -22.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $11,058 | $18,508Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.9% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2022 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 23, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (4.5 years).
EKG 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
EKG vs SPY Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) 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 EKG returned +25.73% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, EKG is up 15.53% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, EKG compounded at +11.16% per year against +21.20% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EKG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.4% compared with 15.7% 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 -43.8% for EKG and -22.1% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EKG charges 0.65% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $9 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EKG currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
42.6% of EKG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.5% of SPY's money is in holdings EKG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 78 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 489 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for EKG (99.0% of the fund), and 30 for EKG that do not appear in SPY (54.4%).
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 EKG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IQVIqvia Holdings Inc | 9.41% | 0.06% | 9.35% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc., Class A | 8.36% | 0.05% | 8.31% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 8.03% | 0.05% | 7.98% |
| RMDResmed Inc. | 6.23% | 0.05% | 6.18% |
| ISRGIntuitive Surgical Inc. | 5.32% | 0.20% | 5.12% |
| ALGNAlign Technology Inc. | 3.28% | 0.02% | 3.26% |
| PODDInsulet Corporation | 1.93% | 0.02% | 1.91% |
42.6% of EKG 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EKG or SPY?
EKG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EKG or SPY?
Over the past year EKG returned +25.73% vs +19.97% for SPY, so EKG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EKG or SPY?
EKG has been the more volatile fund at 26.4% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: EKG -43.8% vs SPY -22.1%.
Should I hold both EKG and SPY?
EKG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 EKG and SPY?
42.6% of EKG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.5% of SPY's is in holdings EKG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in EKG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, EKG or SPY?
EKG yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EKG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. EKG led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.