IFN vs SPY
Aberdeen India Fund Inc. vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, IFN or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
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 | IFN | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $703M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 20.53% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 50 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -9.52% | +13.78%Best |
| 1Y Return | -10.01% | +21.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -1.14% | +21.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.63% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.5% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.5% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,689 | $18,262Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 23, 1994 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 1996 to Sep 3, 2026 (30.7 years).
IFN 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 30.7 years both funds cover.
IFN vs SPY Performance
Aberdeen India Fund Inc. (IFN) is an ETF from Aberdeen and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year IFN returned -10.01% while SPY returned +21.44%. Year to date, IFN is down 9.52% versus a gain of 13.78% for SPY.
Over three years, IFN compounded at -1.14% per year against +21.38% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -0.63% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 31-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.86% annualized vs +3.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IFN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.5% 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 -83.5% for IFN and -56.5% 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IFN charges 1.35% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $9 annually, a gap of $126 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IFN currently yields 20.53% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 50 holdings in IFN and 504 in SPY, totalling 91.5% and 100.0% 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 50 positions we hold weights for in IFN and 504 in SPY, against full books of 50 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IFN 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, IFN or SPY?
IFN has an expense ratio of 1.35% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $126 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IFN or SPY?
Over the past year IFN returned -10.01% vs +21.44% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (31 years), IFN annualized +3.27% vs +8.86% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IFN or SPY?
IFN has been the more volatile fund at 31.5% annualized versus 15.2% for SPY. Worst drawdown: IFN -83.5% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both IFN and SPY?
IFN and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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, IFN or SPY?
IFN yields 20.53% while SPY yields 1.01%, so IFN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than IFN?
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.