NFEB vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNFEBSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.79%0.09%
AUM$83M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.00%1.01%
Holdings6505
YTD Return+9.25%+13.75%
1Y Return+15.36%+22.91%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.67%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.32%
Volatility (annualized)9.1%15.3%
Max Drawdown-13.3%-56.5%
Fund FamilyInnovator ETFs TrustState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 31, 2025Jan 22, 1993

NFEB vs SPY Performance

Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - February (NFEB) is a ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year NFEB returned +15.36% while SPY returned +22.91%. Year to date, NFEB is up 9.25% versus a gain of 13.75% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 9.1% for NFEB. 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 -13.3% for NFEB and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

NFEB charges 0.79% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $9 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFEB currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, NFEB or SPY?

NFEB has an expense ratio of 0.79% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $70 per year of difference.

Which performed better, NFEB or SPY?

Over the past year NFEB returned +15.36% vs +22.91% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), NFEB annualized +14.72% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, NFEB or SPY?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 9.1% for NFEB. Worst drawdown: NFEB -13.3% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both NFEB and SPY?

NFEB and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.

Which pays a higher dividend, NFEB or SPY?

NFEB yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.