RDOG vs SPY
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, RDOG or SPY?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. RDOG is less concentrated, with 25.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | RDOG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $11M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.14% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 44 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +16.22%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +15.33% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.68% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.43% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.5% | -52.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,736 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.2%Best | 38.0% |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 7, 2008 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 9, 2008 to Sep 4, 2026 (18.3 years).
RDOG 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 18.3 years both funds cover.
RDOG vs SPY Performance
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year RDOG returned +15.33% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, RDOG is up 16.22% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, RDOG compounded at +10.68% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +1.43% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +10.25% annualized vs +0.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RDOG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.7% 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 -70.5% for RDOG and -52.4% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RDOG charges 0.35% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $9 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDOG currently yields 6.14% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
20.3% of RDOG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.6% of SPY's money is in holdings RDOG also owns.
RDOG and SPY share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in RDOG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 44 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 43 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 487 positions RDOG does not, 98.8% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.71%, AAPL 6.83%, MSFT 5.50%, AMZN 4.08%, GOOGL 3.33%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RDOG | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 2.57% | 0.10% | 2.47% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 2.47% | 0.16% | 2.31% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 2.37% | 0.09% | 2.28% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 2.22% | 0.12% | 2.10% |
| UDRUdr Inc. | 2.28% | 0.02% | 2.26% |
| VICIVici Properties Inc | 2.19% | 0.04% | 2.15% |
| SBACSba Communications Corp. Class A Real Estate Investment Tru | 2.14% | 0.03% | 2.11% |
| AREAlexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. | 2.14% | 0.01% | 2.13% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 1.95% | 0.05% | 1.90% |
20.3% of RDOG 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, RDOG or SPY?
RDOG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RDOG or SPY?
Over the past year RDOG returned +15.33% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), RDOG annualized +0.87% vs +10.25% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RDOG or SPY?
RDOG has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: RDOG -70.5% vs SPY -52.4%.
Should I hold both RDOG and SPY?
RDOG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 RDOG and SPY?
20.3% of RDOG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.6% of SPY's is in holdings RDOG also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in RDOG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, RDOG or SPY?
RDOG yields 6.14% while SPY yields 1.01%, so RDOG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than RDOG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. RDOG is less concentrated, with 25.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.