HUSV vs SPY
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, HUSV or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HUSV is less concentrated, with 26.7% 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 | HUSV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 204 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +6.20% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.25% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.44% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.60% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,132 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.7%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 24, 2016 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10 years).
HUSV 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 10 years both funds cover.
HUSV vs SPY Performance
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF (HUSV) 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 HUSV returned +3.25% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, HUSV is up 6.20% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, HUSV compounded at +9.44% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +5.60% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.27% annualized vs +8.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.2% for HUSV. 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 -35.7% for HUSV 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HUSV charges 0.70% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $9 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HUSV currently yields 1.27% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
98.1% of HUSV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 28.9% of SPY's money is in holdings HUSV also owns.
Most of HUSV is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
99 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in HUSV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 204 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 398 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for HUSV (70.6% of the fund), and 0 for HUSV 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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HUSV | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.81% | 6.83% | 4.02% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.89% | 5.50% | 2.61% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 3.56% | 0.72% | 2.84% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 1.66% | 1.42% | 0.24% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 3.03% | 0.02% | 3.01% |
| VRSNVerisign Inc. | 2.95% | 0.04% | 2.91% |
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 2.64% | 0.06% | 2.58% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.13% | 0.50% | 1.63% |
| TDYTeledyne Technologies Inc | 2.54% | 0.05% | 2.49% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.66% | 0.92% | 0.74% |
98.1% of HUSV 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, HUSV or SPY?
HUSV has an expense ratio of 0.70% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HUSV or SPY?
Over the past year HUSV returned +3.25% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), HUSV annualized +8.21% vs +14.27% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HUSV or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.2% for HUSV. Worst drawdown: HUSV -35.7% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both HUSV and SPY?
HUSV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 HUSV and SPY?
98.1% of HUSV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 28.9% of SPY's is in holdings HUSV also owns. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in HUSV and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, HUSV or SPY?
HUSV yields 1.27% while SPY yields 1.01%, so HUSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than HUSV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HUSV is less concentrated, with 26.7% 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.