PCIG vs SPY
Polen Capital International Growth ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PCIG or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y 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 | PCIG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 34 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 12.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $9,353 | $15,595Best |
| Fund Family | iMGP Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2024 | 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 35 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCIG has data through Aug 14, 2026 and SPY through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Aug 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.4% 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 -23.4% for PCIG 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCIG 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, PCIG currently yields 0.15% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of SPY's money is in holdings PCIG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PCIG, our book for it covers 93.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
3 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PCIG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 34 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCIG 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, PCIG or SPY?
PCIG 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, PCIG or SPY?
PCIG has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: PCIG -23.4% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both PCIG and SPY?
PCIG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, PCIG or SPY?
PCIG yields 0.15% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PCIG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.