FMTL vs SPY
First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, FMTL or SPY?
SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.0%.
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 | FMTL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.64% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 100 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +30.52%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | - | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.81% |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.0% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 4, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
FMTL 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.
FMTL vs SPY Performance
First Trust Indxx Critical Metals ETF (FMTL) 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. Year to date, FMTL is up 30.52% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMTL charges 0.65% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $9 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMTL currently yields 1.64% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
4.0% of FMTL's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.2% of SPY's money is in holdings FMTL also owns.
FMTL and SPY share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in FMTL and 504 in SPY, against full books of 100 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 495 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for FMTL (99.3% of the fund), and 12 for FMTL that do not appear in SPY (20.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FMTL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 3.98% | 0.16% | 3.82% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMTL 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, FMTL or SPY?
FMTL has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between FMTL and SPY?
4.0% of FMTL's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.2% of SPY's is in holdings FMTL also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in FMTL and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, FMTL or SPY?
FMTL yields 1.64% while SPY yields 1.01%, so FMTL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than FMTL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.