MSII vs SPY

MSII vs SPY

Which is better, MSII or SPY?

Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns (full window): SPY

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

MetricMSIISPY
Expense Ratio1.54%0.09%Best
AUM$3M$804.7B
Dividend Yield64.93%0.98%
Holdings11505
Volatility (annualized)55.0%13.6%Best
Max Drawdown-78.7%-8.9%Best
$10,000 over 1 years$2,791$12,474Best
Fund FamilyREX SharesState Street Investment Management
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleOption WritingLarge Cap Blend
InceptionJun 4, 2025Jan 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 100 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MSII has data through Jun 9, 2026 and SPY through Sep 17, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2025 to Jun 9, 2026 (1 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

MSII has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 55.0% compared with 13.6% 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 -78.7% for MSII and -8.9% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.

Fees and Cost Over Time

MSII charges 1.54% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $154 vs $9 annually, a gap of $145 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSII currently yields 64.93% against 0.98% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 1 holding in MSII and 504 in SPY, totalling 4.6% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

The two holdings books were reported 244 days apart, MSII as of Dec 31, 2025 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.

0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in MSII and 504 in SPY, against full books of 11 and 505.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of MSII and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

MSIISPY

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, MSII or SPY?

MSII has an expense ratio of 1.54% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $145 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, MSII or SPY?

MSII has been the more volatile fund at 55.0% annualized versus 13.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MSII -78.7% vs SPY -8.9%.

Should I hold both MSII and SPY?

MSII and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, MSII or SPY?

MSII yields 64.93% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MSII currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is SPY better than MSII?

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.