SPY vs SQS
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Sapient Quality Select ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | SQS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.80% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $1.4B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.00% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 39 | |
| YTD Return | +12.22% | +11.01% | |
| 1Y Return | +20.83% | - | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.70% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.98% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | - | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -7.2% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Sapient Capital, LLC | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 13, 2026 |
SPY vs SQS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Sapient Quality Select ETF (SQS) is a ETF from Sapient Capital, LLC. Year to date, SPY is up 12.22% versus a gain of 11.01% for SQS.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for SPY and -7.2% for SQS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SQS charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $80 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.00% for SQS.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and SQS share 31 holdings out of 509 unique holdings combined, representing a 40.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or SQS?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SQS charges 0.80%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $71 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and SQS?
SPY and SQS share 31 common holdings with a 40.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 509 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SQS?
SPY yields 1.01% while SQS yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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