MMLG vs SPY
First Trust Multi-Manager Large Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MMLG or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MMLG led over 1Y, SPY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | MMLG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $95M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 75 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.0% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5.9 years | $18,797 | $25,011Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 20, 2020 | 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 105 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MMLG has data through Jun 4, 2026 and SPY through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 22, 2020 to Jun 4, 2026 (5.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MMLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.7% 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 -46.0% for MMLG 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MMLG charges 0.85% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $9 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MMLG currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 48.8% of SPY's money is in holdings MMLG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MMLG, our book for it covers 94.9% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 124 days apart, MMLG as of Apr 30, 2026 and SPY as of Sep 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
59 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in MMLG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 75 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MMLG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 12.60% | 8.01% | 4.59% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.14% | 7.26% | 3.12% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.69% | 5.66% | 0.97% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.30% | 2.99% | 3.31% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.49% | 3.79% | 1.70% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.62% | 2.66% | 1.96% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.20% | 1.93% | 2.27% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.70% | 1.40% | 0.30% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.28% | 0.52% | 1.76% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.72% | 0.94% | 0.78% |
48.8% of SPY is already inside MMLG.
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, MMLG or SPY?
MMLG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MMLG or SPY?
MMLG has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MMLG -46.0% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both MMLG and SPY?
MMLG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between MMLG and SPY?
At least 48.8% of SPY's money is in holdings MMLG also owns. Our book for MMLG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 59 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in MMLG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MMLG or SPY?
MMLG yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MMLG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MMLG led over 1Y, SPY over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.