FMKT vs SPY
The Free Markets ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FMKT or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.7%.
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 | FMKT | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.76% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $12M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.14% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 45 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +0.82% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.35% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.7% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.8% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $11,500 | $12,864Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.7% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Tidal ETF Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 9, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 10, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.3 years).
FMKT 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
FMKT vs SPY Performance
The Free Markets ETF (FMKT) is an ETF from Tidal ETF Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year FMKT returned +1.35% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, FMKT is up 0.82% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FMKT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 12.0% 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 -17.8% for FMKT and -8.9% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMKT charges 0.76% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $76 vs $9 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMKT currently yields 2.14% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
81.0% of FMKT's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 10.2% of SPY's money is in holdings FMKT also owns.
Most of FMKT is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FMKT and 504 in SPY, against full books of 45 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 464 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FMKT (89.3% of the fund), and 13 for FMKT that do not appear in SPY (17.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FMKT | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.99% | 5.50% | 1.51% |
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 5.48% | 0.06% | 5.42% |
| WELLWelltower Inc | 5.10% | 0.25% | 4.85% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 4.79% | 0.37% | 4.42% |
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 4.81% | 0.11% | 4.70% |
| IBKRInteractive Brokers Group Inc | 4.57% | 0.06% | 4.51% |
| HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. | 4.40% | 0.17% | 4.23% |
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 4.37% | 0.05% | 4.32% |
| BIIBBiogen Inc. | 3.87% | 0.05% | 3.82% |
| BXBlackstone Group Inc/the Common Stock | 3.18% | 0.15% | 3.03% |
81.0% of FMKT 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, FMKT or SPY?
FMKT has an expense ratio of 0.76% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMKT or SPY?
Over the past year FMKT returned +1.35% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), FMKT annualized +11.35% vs +21.38% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMKT or SPY?
FMKT has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 12.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: FMKT -17.8% vs SPY -8.9%.
Should I hold both FMKT and SPY?
FMKT and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 FMKT and SPY?
81.0% of FMKT's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 10.2% of SPY's is in holdings FMKT also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FMKT and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FMKT or SPY?
FMKT yields 2.14% while SPY yields 0.98%, so FMKT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FMKT?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.