PCGG vs SPY
Polen Capital Global Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PCGG or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | PCGG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | - | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 39 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.7% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $11,507 | $18,020Best |
| Fund Family | iMGP Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 30, 2023 | Jan 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 21 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCGG has data through Aug 14, 2026 and SPY through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 30, 2023 to Aug 14, 2026 (3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCGG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 13.0% 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 -22.7% for PCGG and -18.8% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCGG charges 0.85% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $9 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCGG currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 30.5% of SPY's money is in holdings PCGG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PCGG, our book for it covers 94.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
21 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in PCGG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 39 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PCGG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.51% | 7.71% | 2.20% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.74% | 5.50% | 0.76% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 6.31% | 2.67% | 3.64% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.95% | 4.08% | 0.13% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.76% | 2.97% | 1.79% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 5.10% | 1.33% | 3.77% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 5.18% | 0.92% | 4.26% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 4.82% | 0.69% | 4.13% |
| GEGeneral Electric Co. | 3.20% | 0.59% | 2.61% |
| AONAon Plc | 3.62% | 0.11% | 3.51% |
30.5% of SPY is already inside PCGG.
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, PCGG or SPY?
PCGG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PCGG or SPY?
PCGG has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 13.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: PCGG -22.7% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both PCGG and SPY?
PCGG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PCGG and SPY?
At least 30.5% of SPY's money is in holdings PCGG also owns. Our book for PCGG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in PCGG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, PCGG or SPY?
PCGG yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PCGG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.