REAI vs SPY
Intelligent Real Estate ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, REAI or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.1%.
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 | REAI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.79% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 24 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.52% | +12.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.99% | +17.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.65% | +21.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.3% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $11,527 | $18,075Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.1% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Armada ETF | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 12, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 13, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.2 years).
REAI 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 3.2 years both funds cover.
REAI vs SPY Performance
Intelligent Real Estate ETF (REAI) is an ETF from Armada ETF and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year REAI returned +3.99% while SPY returned +17.51%. Year to date, REAI is up 11.52% versus a gain of 12.47% for SPY.
Over three years, REAI compounded at +5.65% per year against +21.18% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
REAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 12.6% 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 -22.3% for REAI 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
REAI 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, REAI currently yields 1.79% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
49.9% of REAI's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.9% of SPY's money is in holdings REAI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in REAI and 504 in SPY, against full books of 24 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 485 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for REAI (98.7% of the fund), and 7 for REAI that do not appear in SPY (21.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in REAI | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQIXEquinix, Inc. | 9.91% | 0.16% | 9.75% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 9.65% | 0.10% | 9.55% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 5.68% | 0.06% | 5.62% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 4.52% | 0.08% | 4.44% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corp | 4.38% | 0.12% | 4.26% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 4.28% | 0.19% | 4.09% |
| SBACSba Communications Corp. | 3.97% | 0.03% | 3.94% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 3.61% | 0.05% | 3.56% |
| VICIVici Properties Inc | 2.89% | 0.04% | 2.85% |
| EQREquity Residential | 0.97% | 0.03% | 0.94% |
49.9% of REAI 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, REAI or SPY?
REAI 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.
Which performed better, REAI or SPY?
Over the past year REAI returned +3.99% vs +17.51% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, REAI or SPY?
REAI has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 12.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: REAI -22.3% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both REAI and SPY?
REAI 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.
What is the holdings overlap between REAI and SPY?
49.9% of REAI's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 0.9% of SPY's is in holdings REAI also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in REAI and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, REAI or SPY?
REAI yields 1.79% while SPY yields 0.98%, so REAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than REAI?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.