LVOL vs SPY
American Century Low Volatility ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, LVOL or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | LVOL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 201 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 16.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.4%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $13,730 | $14,849Best |
| Fund Family | American Century Investments | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 12, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 506 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LVOL has data through Apr 22, 2025 and SPY through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 19, 2021 to Apr 22, 2025 (4.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.4% for LVOL. 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 -22.4% for LVOL and -24.5% 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LVOL charges 0.29% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $9 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LVOL currently yields 1.09% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LVOL 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, LVOL or SPY?
LVOL has an expense ratio of 0.29% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LVOL or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.4% for LVOL. Worst drawdown: LVOL -22.4% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both LVOL and SPY?
LVOL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, LVOL or SPY?
LVOL yields 1.09% while SPY yields 0.98%, so LVOL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than LVOL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.