MEMS vs SPY
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MEMS or SPY?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MEMS led over 1Y, SPY over the full window.
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 | MEMS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $22M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.52% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 88 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +22.11%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +21.88%Best | +19.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.81% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 12.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.2% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $12,992 | $16,503Best |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 10, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.6 years).
MEMS 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
MEMS vs SPY Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF (MEMS) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MEMS returned +21.88% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, MEMS is up 22.11% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 12.0% 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 -21.2% for MEMS 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MEMS charges 0.89% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $9 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MEMS currently yields 2.52% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 80 holdings in MEMS and 503 in SPY, totalling 89.3% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in MEMS and 503 in SPY, against full books of 88 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MEMS 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, MEMS or SPY?
MEMS has an expense ratio of 0.89% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MEMS or SPY?
Over the past year MEMS returned +21.88% vs +19.97% for SPY, so MEMS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MEMS or SPY?
MEMS has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 12.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MEMS -21.2% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both MEMS and SPY?
MEMS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MEMS or SPY?
MEMS yields 2.52% while SPY yields 1.01%, so MEMS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MEMS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MEMS led over 1Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.