ROUS vs SPY
ROUS vs SPY
Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. ROUS delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ROUS | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $695M | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 323 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +18.10% | +13.79% | |
| 1Y Return | +28.51% | +23.66% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.34% | +21.40% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.39% | +13.37% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -35.5% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2015 | Jan 22, 1993 |
ROUS vs SPY Performance
Hartford Multifactor US Equity ETF (ROUS) is a ETF from Hartford Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year ROUS returned +28.51% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, ROUS is up 18.10% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.
Over three years, ROUS compounded at +19.34% per year against +21.40% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.39% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, ROUS has the edge at +10.04% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.6% for ROUS. 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 -35.5% for ROUS and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROUS charges 0.19% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $9 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROUS currently yields 1.31% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
ROUS and SPY share 234 holdings out of 591 unique holdings combined, representing a 33.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ROUS | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | 1.07% | 7.09% | 6.02% |
| NVDA | 0.65% | 7.31% | 6.66% |
| MSFT | 0.73% | 4.43% | 3.70% |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| CSCO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| JNJ | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings ROUS shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ROUS or SPY?
ROUS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $10 per year of difference.
Which performed better, ROUS or SPY?
Over the past year ROUS returned +28.51% vs +23.66% for SPY, so ROUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), ROUS annualized +10.04% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, ROUS or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.6% for ROUS. Worst drawdown: ROUS -35.5% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both ROUS and SPY?
ROUS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between ROUS and SPY?
ROUS and SPY share 234 common holdings with a 33.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 591 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROUS or SPY?
ROUS yields 1.31% while SPY yields 1.01%, so ROUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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