PFDE vs SPY
Pathfinder Disciplined US Equity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PFDE or SPY?
SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.6%.
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 | PFDE | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $164M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.18% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 86 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +13.61%Best | +12.09% |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.6% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Pathfinder ETFs | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 31, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
PFDE 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
PFDE vs SPY Performance
Pathfinder Disciplined US Equity ETF (PFDE) is an ETF from Pathfinder ETFs and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, PFDE is up 13.61% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFDE charges 0.59% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $9 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFDE currently yields 0.18% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
99.0% of PFDE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 55.5% of SPY's money is in holdings PFDE also owns.
Most of PFDE is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
86 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in PFDE and 504 in SPY, against full books of 86 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 88 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 411 positions PFDE does not, 43.9% of the fund.
Largest: META 1.93%, BRK.B 1.40%, XOM 1.04%, V 0.94%, WMT 0.71%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PFDE | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 10.18% | 8.01% | 2.17% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.25% | 7.26% | 1.01% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.04% | 5.66% | 0.62% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.31% | 3.79% | 1.52% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.54% | 2.66% | 0.88% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.00% | 2.99% | 0.01% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.13% | 1.60% | 1.53% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.25% | 2.39% | 0.14% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.36% | 0.99% | 1.37% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.50% | 0.71% | 1.79% |
99.0% of PFDE 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, PFDE or SPY?
PFDE has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between PFDE and SPY?
99.0% of PFDE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 55.5% of SPY's is in holdings PFDE also owns. They hold 86 positions in common, counted across the 88 positions we hold weights for in PFDE and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFDE or SPY?
PFDE yields 0.18% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PFDE?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.