ILIT vs SPY
iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. ILIT delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ILIT | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $14M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.84% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 43 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | -6.58% | +13.39% | |
| 1Y Return | +44.28% | +22.52% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -6.62% | +21.36% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.19% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 43.7% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -72.1% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jun 21, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
ILIT vs SPY Performance
iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF (ILIT) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ILIT returned +44.28% while SPY returned +22.52%. Year to date, ILIT is down 6.58% versus a gain of 13.39% for SPY.
Over three years, ILIT compounded at -6.62% per year against +21.36% for SPY. Across the full 3-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.84% annualized vs -9.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 43.7% compared with 15.3% 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 -72.1% for ILIT and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILIT charges 0.47% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $9 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILIT currently yields 1.84% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
ILIT and SPY share 1 holdings out of 537 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ILIT | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALB | 7.26% | 0.02% | 7.24% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ILIT or SPY?
ILIT has an expense ratio of 0.47% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $38 per year of difference.
Which performed better, ILIT or SPY?
Over the past year ILIT returned +44.28% vs +22.52% for SPY, so ILIT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), ILIT annualized -9.67% vs +8.84% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, ILIT or SPY?
ILIT has been the more volatile fund at 43.7% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: ILIT -72.1% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both ILIT and SPY?
ILIT and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between ILIT and SPY?
ILIT and SPY share 1 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 537 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILIT or SPY?
ILIT yields 1.84% while SPY yields 1.01%, so ILIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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