SPDF vs SPY
Defender Risk Adaptive 500 ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SPDF or SPY?
SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio.
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 | SPDF | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $33M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 3 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +9.02% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.20% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Fund Family | Tamarisk Capital Management, LLC | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 14, 2026 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
SPDF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SPDF vs SPY Performance
Defender Risk Adaptive 500 ETF (SPDF) is an ETF from Tamarisk Capital Management, LLC and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, SPDF is up 9.02% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDF charges 0.69% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $9 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPDF currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SPDF and 504 in SPY, totalling 99.7% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in SPDF and 504 in SPY, against full books of 3 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDF 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, SPDF or SPY?
SPDF has an expense ratio of 0.69% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPDF or SPY?
SPDF yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SPDF?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.