RXI vs SPY
iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, RXI or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.9%.
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 | RXI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $254M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 149 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -7.31% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.98% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.33% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.48% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.0% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,865 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.9% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (20 years).
RXI 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 20 years both funds cover.
RXI vs SPY Performance
iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (RXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year RXI returned -3.98% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, RXI is down 7.31% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, RXI compounded at +8.33% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +3.48% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.56% annualized vs +7.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 15.3% 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 -62.0% for RXI 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RXI charges 0.37% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $9 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RXI currently yields 1.43% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
60.3% of RXI's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 9.3% of SPY's money is in holdings RXI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
47 positions in common, counted across the 132 positions we hold weights for in RXI and 504 in SPY, against full books of 149 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 448 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for RXI (90.2% of the fund), and 1 for RXI that do not appear in SPY (0.2%).
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 RXI | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 16.58% | 4.08% | 12.50% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 5.62% | 1.38% | 4.24% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 4.68% | 0.52% | 4.16% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 2.90% | 0.29% | 2.61% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 2.64% | 0.26% | 2.38% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 2.39% | 0.23% | 2.16% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 1.84% | 0.18% | 1.66% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 1.80% | 0.18% | 1.62% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 1.22% | 0.12% | 1.10% |
| RCLRoyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. | 1.22% | 0.12% | 1.10% |
60.3% of RXI 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, RXI or SPY?
RXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RXI or SPY?
Over the past year RXI returned -3.98% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), RXI annualized +7.06% vs +9.56% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RXI or SPY?
RXI has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: RXI -62.0% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both RXI and SPY?
RXI and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RXI and SPY?
60.3% of RXI's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 9.3% of SPY's is in holdings RXI also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 132 positions we hold weights for in RXI and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, RXI or SPY?
RXI yields 1.43% while SPY yields 0.98%, so RXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than RXI?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.