MXI vs SPY
iShares Global Materials ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MXI or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%.
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 | MXI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 114 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +15.05%Best | +11.52% |
| 1Y Return | +25.52%Best | +17.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.21% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.54% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.7% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,383 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.0% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (20 years).
MXI 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 20 years both funds cover.
MXI vs SPY Performance
iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MXI returned +25.52% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, MXI is up 15.05% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, MXI compounded at +14.21% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +7.54% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.56% annualized vs +5.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 15.3% 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 -68.7% for MXI and -56.5% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MXI charges 0.37% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $9 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MXI currently yields 1.70% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
33.4% of MXI's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 1.5% of SPY's money is in holdings MXI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
23 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 504 in SPY, against full books of 114 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 470 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for MXI (98.0% of the fund), and 5 for MXI that do not appear in SPY (4.0%).
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 MXI | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 8.08% | 0.34% | 7.74% |
| NEMNewmont Corp. | 3.39% | 0.16% | 3.23% |
| SHWSherwin Williams Co/the | 2.59% | 0.12% | 2.47% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 2.32% | 0.11% | 2.21% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals In | 2.23% | 0.10% | 2.13% |
| CTVACorteva Inc. | 1.87% | 0.08% | 1.79% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 1.65% | 0.09% | 1.56% |
| VMCVulcan Materials Co. | 1.28% | 0.06% | 1.22% |
| MLMMartin Marietta Materials Inc. | 1.18% | 0.05% | 1.13% |
| STLDSteel Dynamics Inc | 1.00% | 0.05% | 0.95% |
33.4% of MXI 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, MXI or SPY?
MXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MXI or SPY?
Over the past year MXI returned +25.52% vs +17.48% for SPY, so MXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), MXI annualized +5.12% vs +9.56% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MXI or SPY?
MXI has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MXI -68.7% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both MXI and SPY?
MXI and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 MXI and SPY?
33.4% of MXI's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 1.5% of SPY's is in holdings MXI also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MXI or SPY?
MXI yields 1.70% while SPY yields 0.98%, so MXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MXI?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.