RTH vs SPY
VanEck Retail ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, RTH or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. RTH led over the full window, SPY over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.3%.
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 | RTH | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $253M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 26 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +5.41% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.15% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.61% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.78% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4%Best | -56.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,232 | $18,270Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.3% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2011 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2001 to Sep 4, 2026 (25.3 years).
RTH 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
RTH vs SPY Performance
VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) is an ETF from VanEck and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year RTH returned +5.15% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, RTH is up 5.41% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, RTH compounded at +15.61% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +8.78% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, RTH has the edge at +9.71% annualized vs +7.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RTH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.9% 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 -42.4% for RTH 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RTH 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, RTH currently yields 0.92% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
97.4% of RTH's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 7.8% of SPY's money is in holdings RTH also owns.
Most of RTH is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
24 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RTH and 504 in SPY, against full books of 26 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 25 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 472 positions RTH does not, 91.7% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.71%, AAPL 6.83%, MSFT 5.50%, GOOGL 3.33%, AVGO 2.97%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RTH | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 21.68% | 4.08% | 17.60% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 10.10% | 0.73% | 9.37% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 7.74% | 0.63% | 7.11% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 5.24% | 0.52% | 4.72% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 4.73% | 0.15% | 4.58% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 4.51% | 0.26% | 4.25% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 4.33% | 0.18% | 4.15% |
| CVSCvs Health Corp. | 4.31% | 0.20% | 4.11% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 4.36% | 0.12% | 4.24% |
| ORLYO'Eilly Automotive, Inc. | 4.26% | 0.11% | 4.15% |
97.4% of RTH 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, RTH or SPY?
RTH 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, RTH or SPY?
Over the past year RTH returned +5.15% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), RTH annualized +9.71% vs +7.69% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RTH or SPY?
RTH has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.9% for SPY. Worst drawdown: RTH -42.4% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both RTH and SPY?
RTH and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 RTH and SPY?
97.4% of RTH's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 7.8% of SPY's is in holdings RTH also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RTH and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, RTH or SPY?
RTH yields 0.92% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than RTH?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. RTH led over the full window, SPY over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.