SNTH vs SPY
MRP SynthEquity ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SNTH or SPY?
Nearly the same fund. SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | SNTH | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $259M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.50% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 13 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +8.16% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.36% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.8%Best | -13.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,315 | $13,868Best |
| Fund Family | Measured Risk Portfolios | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 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 11, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
SNTH 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.
SNTH vs SPY Performance
MRP SynthEquity ETF (SNTH) is an ETF from Measured Risk Portfolios and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SNTH returned +11.36% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, SNTH is up 8.16% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SNTH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.0% compared with 12.1% 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 -9.8% for SNTH 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SNTH charges 0.96% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $9 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SNTH currently yields 11.50% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in SNTH and 504 in SPY, totalling 86.5% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 5 positions we hold weights for in SNTH and 504 in SPY, against full books of 13 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SNTH 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, SNTH or SPY?
SNTH has an expense ratio of 0.96% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SNTH or SPY?
Over the past year SNTH returned +11.36% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SNTH annualized +21.03% vs +24.36% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SNTH or SPY?
SNTH has been the more volatile fund at 13.0% annualized versus 12.1% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SNTH -9.8% vs SPY -13.7%.
Should I hold both SNTH and SPY?
SNTH and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SNTH or SPY?
SNTH yields 11.50% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SNTH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SNTH?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.