MDEV vs SPY
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MDEV or SPY?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDEV is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | MDEV | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 53 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -0.14% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.39% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.85% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -5.65% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.3% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,477 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.4%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 22, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.2 years).
MDEV 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
MDEV vs SPY Performance
First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MDEV returned +2.39% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, MDEV is down 0.14% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, MDEV compounded at +2.85% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -5.65% and +12.81% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 15.5% 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 -42.3% for MDEV 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDEV charges 0.70% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $9 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDEV currently yields 0.11% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
47.5% of MDEV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.1% of SPY's money is in holdings MDEV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
24 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 504 in SPY, against full books of 53 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 474 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for MDEV (97.4% of the fund), and 8 for MDEV that do not appear in SPY (16.0%).
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 MDEV | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAXBaxter International Inc. | 3.04% | 0.02% | 3.02% |
| WSTWest Pharmaceutical Services Inc | 2.59% | 0.04% | 2.55% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 2.20% | 0.32% | 1.88% |
| DXCMDexcom Inc. | 2.46% | 0.05% | 2.41% |
| RVTYRevvity Inc | 2.44% | 0.02% | 2.42% |
| WATWaters Corp. | 2.38% | 0.06% | 2.32% |
| AAgilent Technologies Inc | 2.34% | 0.06% | 2.28% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.01% | 0.28% | 1.73% |
| EWEdwards Lifesciences Corp | 2.17% | 0.08% | 2.09% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 2.00% | 0.18% | 1.82% |
47.5% of MDEV 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, MDEV or SPY?
MDEV has an expense ratio of 0.70% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDEV or SPY?
Over the past year MDEV returned +2.39% vs +19.97% 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, MDEV or SPY?
MDEV has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 15.5% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MDEV -42.3% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both MDEV and SPY?
MDEV and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 MDEV and SPY?
47.5% of MDEV's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.1% of SPY's is in holdings MDEV also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in MDEV and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDEV or SPY?
MDEV yields 0.11% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MDEV?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDEV is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.