FLJP vs SPY
Franklin FTSE Japan ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FLJP or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
FLJP led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLJP is less concentrated, with 25.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | FLJP | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Tie | 0.09%Tie |
| AUM | $4.2B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.11% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 481 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +19.25%Best | +12.09% |
| 1Y Return | +22.99%Best | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.63% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.82% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 16.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,260 | $18,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.3%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2017 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.9 years).
FLJP 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
FLJP vs SPY Performance
Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FLJP returned +22.99% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, FLJP is up 19.25% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, FLJP compounded at +18.63% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +8.82% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.90% annualized vs +7.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.3% for FLJP. 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 -33.6% for FLJP 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLJP charges 0.09% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $9 annually. On income, FLJP currently yields 4.11% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 464 holdings in FLJP and 504 in SPY, totalling 99.1% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 464 positions we hold weights for in FLJP and 504 in SPY, against full books of 481 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 497 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FLJP (99.3% of the fund), and 1 for FLJP that do not appear in SPY (0.0%).
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 FLJP 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, FLJP or SPY?
FLJP has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SPY charges 0.09%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, FLJP or SPY?
Over the past year FLJP returned +22.99% vs +16.29% for SPY, so FLJP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLJP annualized +7.44% vs +13.90% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLJP or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.3% for FLJP. Worst drawdown: FLJP -33.6% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FLJP and SPY?
FLJP and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, FLJP or SPY?
FLJP yields 4.11% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FLJP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FLJP?
FLJP led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLJP is less concentrated, with 25.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.