EVF vs SPY
Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EVF or SPY?
Bank Loan 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 | EVF | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.38% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $108M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.85% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 462 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -0.99% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.41% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.23% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.77% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -71.3% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,464 | $18,270Best |
| Fund Family | Eaton Vance | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 30, 1998 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 28, 1998 to Sep 4, 2026 (27.9 years).
EVF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
EVF vs SPY Performance
Eaton Vance Senior Income Trust (EVF) is an ETF from Eaton Vance and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year EVF returned -3.41% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, EVF is down 0.99% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, EVF compounded at +4.23% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +2.77% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +7.64% annualized vs -0.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.1% for EVF. 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 -71.3% for EVF 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EVF charges 2.38% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $238 vs $9 annually, a gap of $229 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EVF currently yields 7.85% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 208 holdings in EVF and 504 in SPY, totalling 81.0% 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 216 days apart, EVF as of Dec 31, 2025 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 208 positions we hold weights for in EVF and 504 in SPY, against full books of 462 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EVF 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, EVF or SPY?
EVF has an expense ratio of 2.38% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $229 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EVF or SPY?
Over the past year EVF returned -3.41% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), EVF annualized -0.77% vs +7.64% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EVF or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.1% for EVF. Worst drawdown: EVF -71.3% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both EVF and SPY?
EVF and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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, EVF or SPY?
EVF yields 7.85% while SPY yields 1.01%, so EVF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EVF?
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.