MSTQ vs SPY
LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MSTQ or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and 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 | MSTQ | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.55% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.79% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 8 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.40% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.63% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.75% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.1% | -22.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $15,762 | $18,925Best |
| Fund Family | Little Harbor Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2022 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (4.5 years).
MSTQ 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
MSTQ vs SPY Performance
LHA Market State Tactical Q ETF (MSTQ) is an ETF from Little Harbor Advisors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MSTQ returned +1.63% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, MSTQ is up 11.40% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, MSTQ compounded at +14.75% per year against +20.62% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSTQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% 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 -31.1% for MSTQ and -22.1% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSTQ charges 1.55% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $155 vs $9 annually, a gap of $146 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSTQ currently yields 0.79% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in MSTQ and 504 in SPY, totalling 88.8% 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 3 positions we hold weights for in MSTQ and 504 in SPY, against full books of 8 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MSTQ 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, MSTQ or SPY?
MSTQ has an expense ratio of 1.55% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $146 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSTQ or SPY?
Over the past year MSTQ returned +1.63% vs +17.48% 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, MSTQ or SPY?
MSTQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MSTQ -31.1% vs SPY -22.1%.
Should I hold both MSTQ and SPY?
MSTQ and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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, MSTQ or SPY?
MSTQ yields 0.79% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MSTQ?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.