SPY vs SQLV
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Royce Quant Small Cap Quality Value ETF
Which is better, SPY or SQLV?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Value.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SQLV over 1Y.
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 | SPY | SQLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $777.9B | $39M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 1,011 | 627 |
| YTD Return | +12.09% | +24.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.45% | +27.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.45%Best | +16.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.87%Best | +6.29% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 22.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -49.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,521Best | $13,566 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jul 12, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2017 to Nov 11, 2026 (9.3 years).
SPY vs SQLV 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
SPY vs SQLV Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Royce Quant Small Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year SPY returned +12.45% while SQLV returned +27.26%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.09% versus a gain of 24.28% for SQLV.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.45% per year against +16.16% for SQLV; over five years the annualized figures are +11.87% and +6.29% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.86% annualized vs +9.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% compared with 15.9% 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 -34.1% for SPY and -49.8% for SQLV. 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
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SQLV charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $60 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.00% against 1.01% for SQLV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 34 in SQLV, totalling 100.1% and 59.5% 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 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 34 in SQLV, against full books of 1,011 and 627.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and SQLV 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, SPY or SQLV?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SQLV charges 0.60%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or SQLV?
Over the past year SPY returned +12.45% vs +27.26% for SQLV, so SQLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SPY annualized +13.86% vs +9.10% for SQLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or SQLV?
SQLV has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 15.9% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs SQLV -49.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and SQLV?
SPY and SQLV 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SQLV?
SPY yields 1.00% while SQLV yields 1.01%, so SQLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQLV better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SQLV over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.