FMHI vs SPY
First Trust Municipal High Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FMHI or SPY?
Municipal Bond 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 | FMHI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $977M | $811.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.41% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1,524 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | -3.56% | +14.85%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.19% | +17.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.13% | +22.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.50% | +13.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.3%Best | 16.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,752 | $19,161Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2017 to Oct 9, 2026 (8.9 years).
FMHI 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.
FMHI vs SPY Performance
First Trust Municipal High Income ETF (FMHI) 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 FMHI returned -2.19% while SPY returned +17.26%. Year to date, FMHI is down 3.56% versus a gain of 14.85% for SPY.
Over three years, FMHI compounded at +4.13% per year against +22.95% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -0.50% and +13.89% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.12% annualized vs +1.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 7.3% for FMHI. 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 -18.8% for FMHI 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMHI charges 0.49% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $9 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMHI currently yields 4.41% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 474 holdings in FMHI and 504 in SPY, totalling 59.1% and 99.8% 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 474 positions we hold weights for in FMHI and 504 in SPY, against full books of 1,524 and 1,515.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMHI 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, FMHI or SPY?
FMHI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMHI or SPY?
Over the past year FMHI returned -2.19% vs +17.26% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FMHI annualized +1.12% vs +14.12% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMHI or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 7.3% for FMHI. Worst drawdown: FMHI -18.8% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both FMHI and SPY?
FMHI and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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, FMHI or SPY?
FMHI yields 4.41% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FMHI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FMHI?
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.