LQ vs SPY
Simplify Tax Aware Alternatives ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, LQ or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio.
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 | LQ | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $811.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.21% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 15 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | -3.57% | +13.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +23.72% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.95% |
| Fund Family | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 4, 2026 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
LQ 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.
LQ vs SPY Performance
Simplify Tax Aware Alternatives ETF (LQ) is an ETF from Simplify Exchange Traded Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, LQ is down 3.57% versus a gain of 13.54% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LQ charges 0.15% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LQ currently yields 0.21% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LQ 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, LQ or SPY?
LQ has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, LQ or SPY?
LQ yields 0.21% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than LQ?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.