KOOL vs SPY
KOOL vs SPY
North Shore Equity Rotation ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | KOOL | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.94% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $57M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 41 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +15.39% | +13.79% | |
| 1Y Return | +22.18% | +23.66% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.40% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -20.6% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | North Shore Indices | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
KOOL vs SPY Performance
North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) is a ETF from North Shore Indices and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year KOOL returned +22.18% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, KOOL is up 15.39% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 12.4% for KOOL. 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 -20.6% for KOOL 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KOOL charges 0.94% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $94 vs $9 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KOOL currently yields 0.43% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
KOOL and SPY share 20 holdings out of 521 unique holdings combined, representing a 23.6% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KOOL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 5.55% | 7.31% | 1.76% |
| AAPL | 3.57% | 7.09% | 3.52% |
| AMZN | 4.49% | 3.69% | 0.80% |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| PWR | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GEV | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| JNJ | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| KMI | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings KOOL shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KOOL or SPY?
KOOL has an expense ratio of 0.94% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $85 per year of difference.
Which performed better, KOOL or SPY?
Over the past year KOOL returned +22.18% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), KOOL annualized +18.47% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, KOOL or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 12.4% for KOOL. Worst drawdown: KOOL -20.6% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both KOOL and SPY?
KOOL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between KOOL and SPY?
KOOL and SPY share 20 common holdings with a 23.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 521 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, KOOL or SPY?
KOOL yields 0.43% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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