MAGS vs SPY
Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MAGS or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MAGS led over 3Y and the full window, SPY over 1Y.
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 | MAGS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 25 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +6.07% | +12.19%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.31% | +18.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.93%Best | +20.88% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.69% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $28,782Best | $19,335 |
| Fund Family | Roundhill Investments | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 11, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 11, 2023 to Sep 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
MAGS 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 3.4 years both funds cover.
MAGS vs SPY Performance
Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS) is an ETF from Roundhill Investments and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MAGS returned +12.31% while SPY returned +18.53%. Year to date, MAGS is up 6.07% versus a gain of 12.19% for SPY.
Over three years, MAGS compounded at +30.93% per year against +20.88% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MAGS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 12.6% 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 -29.4% for MAGS and -18.8% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MAGS charges 0.30% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $9 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MAGS currently yields 1.42% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 30.8% of SPY's money is in holdings MAGS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MAGS, our book for it covers 41.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in MAGS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 25 and 505.
30.8% of SPY is already inside MAGS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MAGS or SPY?
MAGS has an expense ratio of 0.30% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MAGS or SPY?
Over the past year MAGS returned +12.31% vs +18.53% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MAGS or SPY?
MAGS has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 12.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MAGS -29.4% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both MAGS and SPY?
MAGS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 MAGS and SPY?
At least 30.8% of SPY's money is in holdings MAGS also owns. Our book for MAGS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in MAGS and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MAGS or SPY?
MAGS yields 1.42% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MAGS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MAGS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MAGS led over 3Y and the full window, SPY over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.