RSMR vs SPY
FT Vest US Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - March vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, RSMR or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | RSMR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $11M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 10 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.77% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.48% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.1%Best | -13.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $11,790 | $13,490Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 24, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
RSMR 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
RSMR vs SPY Performance
FT Vest US Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - March (RSMR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year RSMR returned +11.48% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, RSMR is up 8.77% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 5.2% for RSMR. 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 -9.1% for RSMR and -13.7% 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSMR charges 0.85% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $9 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSMR currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RSMR and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RSMR or SPY?
RSMR has an expense ratio of 0.85% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSMR or SPY?
Over the past year RSMR returned +11.48% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RSMR annualized +11.60% vs +22.09% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSMR or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 5.2% for RSMR. Worst drawdown: RSMR -9.1% vs SPY -13.7%.
Should I hold both RSMR and SPY?
RSMR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSMR or SPY?
RSMR yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than RSMR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.