PSL vs SPY
Invesco Dorsey Wright Consumer Staples Momentum ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, PSL or SPY?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%.
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 | PSL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $84M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 50 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.28% | +13.81%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.28% | +16.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.50% | +22.84%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.98% | +13.50%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 15.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.0%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,751 | $18,836Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.0% | 37.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 12, 2006 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2006 to Sep 22, 2026 (19.9 years).
PSL 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
PSL vs SPY Performance
Invesco Dorsey Wright Consumer Staples Momentum ETF (PSL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year PSL returned +0.28% while SPY returned +16.94%. Year to date, PSL is up 8.28% versus a gain of 13.81% for SPY.
Over three years, PSL compounded at +9.50% per year against +22.84% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +4.98% and +13.50% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.50% annualized vs +7.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 13.9% for PSL. 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 -42.0% for PSL 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSL charges 0.60% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $9 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSL currently yields 0.73% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
43.3% of PSL's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.8% of SPY's money is in holdings PSL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
15 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PSL and 504 in SPY, against full books of 50 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 48 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 482 positions PSL does not, 96.6% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.01%, AAPL 7.26%, MSFT 5.66%, AMZN 3.79%, GOOGL 2.99%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 4.85% | 0.63% | 4.22% |
| CHDChurch & Dwight Co. Inc. | 4.66% | 0.04% | 4.62% |
| CASYCaseys General | 4.59% | 0.04% | 4.55% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 3.62% | 0.44% | 3.18% |
| MNSTMonster Beverage Corp. | 3.36% | 0.10% | 3.26% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 3.08% | 0.18% | 2.90% |
| ELEstee Lauder Cos., Inc. | 3.14% | 0.04% | 3.10% |
| KRKroger Co. | 3.10% | 0.05% | 3.05% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.61% | 0.52% | 2.09% |
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 2.95% | 0.06% | 2.89% |
43.3% of PSL 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, PSL or SPY?
PSL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSL or SPY?
Over the past year PSL returned +0.28% vs +16.94% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PSL annualized +7.93% vs +9.50% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSL or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 13.9% for PSL. Worst drawdown: PSL -42.0% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both PSL and SPY?
PSL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 PSL and SPY?
43.3% of PSL's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 2.8% of SPY's is in holdings PSL also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PSL and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSL or SPY?
PSL yields 0.73% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than PSL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.