EQAL vs SPY
Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EQAL or SPY?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | EQAL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $839M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.64% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1,016 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +13.75%Best | +12.47% |
| 1Y Return | +16.41% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.78% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.28% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.9% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,210 | $18,327Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 23, 2014 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 29, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.7 years).
EQAL 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 11.7 years both funds cover.
EQAL vs SPY Performance
Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year EQAL returned +16.41% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, EQAL is up 13.75% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, EQAL compounded at +14.78% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +7.28% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.44% annualized vs +8.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EQAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 15.0% 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 -40.9% for EQAL 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQAL charges 0.20% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $9 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQAL currently yields 1.64% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 89.9% of SPY's money is in holdings EQAL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for EQAL, our book for it covers 94.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of SPY is already inside EQAL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
447 positions in common, counted across the 921 positions we hold weights for in EQAL and 504 in SPY, against full books of 1,016 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EQAL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.06% | 7.71% | 7.65% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.06% | 6.83% | 6.77% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 0.08% | 5.50% | 5.42% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.07% | 4.08% | 4.01% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 0.06% | 3.33% | 3.27% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.06% | 2.97% | 2.91% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 0.06% | 1.94% | 1.88% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.05% | 1.51% | 1.46% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway B | 0.06% | 1.42% | 1.36% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.05% | 1.38% | 1.33% |
89.9% of SPY is already inside EQAL.
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, EQAL or SPY?
EQAL has an expense ratio of 0.20% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQAL or SPY?
Over the past year EQAL returned +16.41% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), EQAL annualized +8.46% vs +12.44% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQAL or SPY?
EQAL has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 15.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: EQAL -40.9% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both EQAL and SPY?
EQAL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EQAL and SPY?
At least 89.9% of SPY's money is in holdings EQAL also owns. Our book for EQAL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 447 positions in common, counted across the 921 positions we hold weights for in EQAL and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQAL or SPY?
EQAL yields 1.64% while SPY yields 0.98%, so EQAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EQAL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.