FAN vs SPY
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FAN or SPY?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FAN led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.4%.
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 | FAN | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $242M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 108 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.76% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +27.41%Best | +17.51% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.44% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.00% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -82.1% | -49.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,593 | $18,327Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.4% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2008 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 18, 2008 to Sep 11, 2026 (18.2 years).
FAN 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
FAN vs SPY Performance
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) 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 FAN returned +27.41% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, FAN is up 11.76% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, FAN compounded at +17.44% per year against +21.18% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +3.00% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +10.46% annualized vs -1.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FAN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.7% 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 -82.1% for FAN and -49.3% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FAN 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, FAN currently yields 0.99% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
4.5% of FAN's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.4% of SPY's money is in holdings FAN also owns.
FAN and SPY share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in FAN and 504 in SPY, against full books of 108 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 492 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FAN (99.1% of the fund), and 6 for FAN that do not appear in SPY (10.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FAN 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, FAN or SPY?
FAN 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, FAN or SPY?
Over the past year FAN returned +27.41% vs +17.51% for SPY, so FAN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), FAN annualized -1.09% vs +10.46% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FAN or SPY?
FAN has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 15.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FAN -82.1% vs SPY -49.3%.
Should I hold both FAN and SPY?
FAN and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 FAN and SPY?
4.5% of FAN's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.4% of SPY's is in holdings FAN also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in FAN and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FAN or SPY?
FAN yields 0.99% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FAN?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FAN led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.