LGLV vs SPY
State Street SPDR US Large Cap Low Volatility Index ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, LGLV or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. LGLV is less concentrated, with 15.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | LGLV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 174 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +3.17% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.81% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.25% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.75% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 14.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,524 | $18,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.9%Best | 37.8% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 20, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 21, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.6 years).
LGLV 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 13.6 years both funds cover.
LGLV vs SPY Performance
State Street SPDR US Large Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (LGLV) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year LGLV returned +3.81% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, LGLV is up 3.17% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, LGLV compounded at +11.25% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +7.75% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.31% annualized vs +9.35%.
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 12.9% for LGLV. 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 -37.0% for LGLV 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LGLV charges 0.12% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $9 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LGLV currently yields 2.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
82.7% of LGLV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 35.2% of SPY's money is in holdings LGLV also owns.
Most of LGLV is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
123 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in LGLV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 174 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 376 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for LGLV (64.2% of the fund), and 46 for LGLV that do not appear in SPY (15.8%).
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 LGLV | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.71% | 7.26% | 6.55% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.75% | 5.66% | 4.91% |
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 4.56% | 0.26% | 4.30% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.39% | 2.99% | 2.60% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 0.91% | 1.40% | 0.49% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.05% | 0.99% | 0.06% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.01% | 0.94% | 0.07% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 1.76% | 0.09% | 1.67% |
| KOCoca-Cola Co. (The) | 1.17% | 0.52% | 0.65% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.99% | 0.66% | 0.33% |
82.7% of LGLV 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, LGLV or SPY?
LGLV has an expense ratio of 0.12% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LGLV or SPY?
Over the past year LGLV returned +3.81% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), LGLV annualized +9.35% vs +13.31% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LGLV or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.3% annualized versus 12.9% for LGLV. Worst drawdown: LGLV -37.0% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both LGLV and SPY?
LGLV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 LGLV and SPY?
82.7% of LGLV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 35.2% of SPY's is in holdings LGLV also owns. They hold 123 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in LGLV and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, LGLV or SPY?
LGLV yields 2.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so LGLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than LGLV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. LGLV is less concentrated, with 15.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.