IBND vs SPY
State Street SPDR Bloomberg International Corporate Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IBND or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
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 | IBND | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $458M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.79% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 948 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -3.11% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.54% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.86% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.37% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.6% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,334 | $18,728Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 19, 2010 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 20, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.3 years).
IBND 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.
IBND vs SPY Performance
State Street SPDR Bloomberg International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IBND returned -3.54% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, IBND is down 3.11% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, IBND compounded at +5.86% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -1.37% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.25% annualized vs +0.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.3% compared with 9.6% for IBND. 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 -35.6% for IBND 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBND charges 0.50% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $9 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBND currently yields 2.79% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 48 holdings in IBND and 504 in SPY, totalling 4.8% and 99.9% 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 48 positions we hold weights for in IBND and 504 in SPY, against full books of 948 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBND 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, IBND or SPY?
IBND has an expense ratio of 0.50% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBND or SPY?
Over the past year IBND returned -3.54% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), IBND annualized +0.57% vs +13.25% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBND or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 9.6% for IBND. Worst drawdown: IBND -35.6% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both IBND and SPY?
IBND and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, IBND or SPY?
IBND yields 2.79% while SPY yields 0.98%, so IBND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IBND?
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.