GBLD vs SPY
Invesco MSCI Green Building ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, GBLD or SPY?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. GBLD is less concentrated, with 32.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | GBLD | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.21% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 114 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.7% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.8 years | $9,120 | $17,789Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.3%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 22, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 196 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GBLD has data through Feb 20, 2026 and SPY through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2021 to Feb 20, 2026 (4.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GBLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 15.2% 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 -39.7% for GBLD and -24.5% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBLD charges 0.39% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $9 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBLD currently yields 3.21% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
4.0% of GBLD's money is in holdings SPY also owns.
GBLD and SPY share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 308 days apart, GBLD as of Sep 30, 2025 and SPY as of Aug 4, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GBLD and 504 in SPY, against full books of 114 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 495 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for GBLD (99.4% of the fund), and 18 for GBLD that do not appear in SPY (16.4%).
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 GBLD | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BXPBoston Properties Inc | 4.02% | 0.02% | 4.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBLD 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, GBLD or SPY?
GBLD has an expense ratio of 0.39% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GBLD or SPY?
GBLD has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 15.2% for SPY. Worst drawdown: GBLD -39.7% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both GBLD and SPY?
GBLD and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 GBLD and SPY?
4.0% of GBLD's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.0% of SPY's is in holdings GBLD also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in GBLD and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, GBLD or SPY?
GBLD yields 3.21% while SPY yields 1.01%, so GBLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than GBLD?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. GBLD is less concentrated, with 32.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.