SAMT vs SPY
Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SAMT or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SAMT led over 3Y, SPY 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 | SAMT | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $830M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 42 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.06% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.99% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.89%Best | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.6%Best | -22.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $17,304 | $18,516Best |
| Fund Family | Strategas Asset Management, LLC | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2022 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.6 years).
SAMT 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
SAMT vs SPY Performance
Strategas Macro Thematic Opportunities ETF (SAMT) is an ETF from Strategas Asset Management, LLC and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SAMT returned +15.99% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, SAMT is up 8.06% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, SAMT compounded at +22.89% per year against +21.20% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAMT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 15.6% 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 -20.6% for SAMT and -22.1% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAMT charges 0.66% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $9 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAMT currently yields 0.63% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 21.9% of SPY's money is in holdings SAMT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SAMT, our book for it covers 91.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPY and SAMT share little of their money.
29 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in SAMT and 504 in SPY, against full books of 42 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAMT | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.13% | 5.66% | 3.53% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.64% | 3.79% | 1.15% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.26% | 2.99% | 0.73% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.62% | 1.40% | 1.22% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 3.04% | 0.94% | 2.10% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.23% | 1.45% | 0.78% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.96% | 0.70% | 2.26% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.55% | 0.99% | 1.56% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 3.37% | 0.11% | 3.26% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.28% | 0.15% | 3.13% |
21.9% of SPY is already inside SAMT.
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, SAMT or SPY?
SAMT has an expense ratio of 0.66% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAMT or SPY?
Over the past year SAMT returned +15.99% vs +16.29% 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, SAMT or SPY?
SAMT has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 15.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SAMT -20.6% vs SPY -22.1%.
Should I hold both SAMT and SPY?
SAMT and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 SAMT and SPY?
At least 21.9% of SPY's money is in holdings SAMT also owns. Our book for SAMT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in SAMT and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAMT or SPY?
SAMT yields 0.63% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SAMT?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SAMT led over 3Y, SPY over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.