MOTO vs SPY
Guinness Atkinson Smart Transportation & Technology ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MOTO or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MOTO led over 1Y and the full window, SPY over 3Y and 5Y. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.8%.
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 | MOTO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 39 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +12.30%Best | +11.52% |
| 1Y Return | +23.55%Best | +17.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.41% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.30% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.8% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.2% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,223 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.8% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2019 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2019 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.8 years).
MOTO 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
MOTO vs SPY Performance
Guinness Atkinson Smart Transportation & Technology ETF (MOTO) is an ETF from SmartETFs and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MOTO returned +23.55% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, MOTO is up 12.30% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, MOTO compounded at +15.41% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +7.30% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, MOTO has the edge at +15.19% annualized vs +15.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MOTO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.8% compared with 16.8% 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 -38.2% for MOTO and -34.1% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOTO charges 0.68% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $9 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOTO currently yields 0.91% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
40.0% of MOTO's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 13.1% of SPY's money is in holdings MOTO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
12 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in MOTO and 504 in SPY, against full books of 39 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 482 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for MOTO (86.5% of the fund), and 7 for MOTO that do not appear in SPY (13.4%).
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 MOTO | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 4.68% | 7.71% | 3.03% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.02% | 2.67% | 1.35% |
| PWRQuanta Services, Inc. | 4.95% | 0.16% | 4.79% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 4.61% | 0.32% | 4.29% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 3.01% | 1.38% | 1.63% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 3.95% | 0.28% | 3.67% |
| ETNEaton Corp. Plc | 3.80% | 0.26% | 3.54% |
| TELTE Connectivity PLC Common Stock | 3.09% | 0.10% | 2.99% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors N.V. Common Stock | 2.77% | 0.09% | 2.68% |
| ONOn Semiconductor Corp | 2.35% | 0.05% | 2.30% |
40.0% of MOTO 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, MOTO or SPY?
MOTO has an expense ratio of 0.68% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOTO or SPY?
Over the past year MOTO returned +23.55% vs +17.48% for SPY, so MOTO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), MOTO annualized +15.19% vs +15.15% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOTO or SPY?
MOTO has been the more volatile fund at 24.8% annualized versus 16.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MOTO -38.2% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both MOTO and SPY?
MOTO and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 MOTO and SPY?
40.0% of MOTO's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 13.1% of SPY's is in holdings MOTO also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in MOTO and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOTO or SPY?
MOTO yields 0.91% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MOTO?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MOTO led over 1Y and the full window, SPY over 3Y and 5Y. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.