FBT vs SPY
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FBT or SPY?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FBT led over 1Y and the full window, SPY over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | FBT | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 62 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +26.26%Best | +11.52% |
| 1Y Return | +50.41%Best | +17.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.14% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.97% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,365 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0%Tie | 38.0%Tie |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (20.2 years).
FBT 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 20.2 years both funds cover.
FBT vs SPY Performance
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) 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 FBT returned +50.41% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, FBT is up 26.26% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, FBT compounded at +20.14% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +8.97% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, FBT has the edge at +13.71% annualized vs +9.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% compared with 15.3% 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 -40.5% for FBT 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FBT charges 0.55% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $9 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FBT currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
20.7% of FBT's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.8% of SPY's money is in holdings FBT also owns.
FBT and SPY share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FBT and 504 in SPY, against full books of 62 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 488 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FBT (98.7% of the fund), and 19 for FBT that do not appear in SPY (62.2%).
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.
20.7% of FBT 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FBT or SPY?
FBT has an expense ratio of 0.55% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FBT or SPY?
Over the past year FBT returned +50.41% vs +17.48% for SPY, so FBT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FBT annualized +13.71% vs +9.75% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FBT or SPY?
FBT has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FBT -40.5% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both FBT and SPY?
FBT 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.
What is the holdings overlap between FBT and SPY?
20.7% of FBT's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.8% of SPY's is in holdings FBT also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in FBT and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FBT or SPY?
FBT yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FBT?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FBT led over 1Y and the full window, SPY over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.