FBZ vs SPY
First Trust Brazil AlphaDEX Fund vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FBZ or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FBZ led over 1Y, SPY over 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 | FBZ | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.73% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 52 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 79.6% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -87.5% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 14.2 years | $8,808 | $50,437Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 424 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FBZ has data through Jul 11, 2025 and SPY through Sep 8, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 14.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 19, 2011 to Jul 11, 2025 (14.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FBZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 79.6% compared with 14.4% 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 -87.5% for FBZ 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FBZ charges 0.80% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $9 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FBZ currently yields 3.73% against 1.01% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FBZ 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, FBZ or SPY?
FBZ has an expense ratio of 0.80% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FBZ or SPY?
FBZ has been the more volatile fund at 79.6% annualized versus 14.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FBZ -87.5% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FBZ and SPY?
FBZ and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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, FBZ or SPY?
FBZ yields 3.73% while SPY yields 1.01%, so FBZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FBZ?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. FBZ led over 1Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.