SPY vs SSPX
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Janus Henderson US Sustainable Equity ETF
Which is better, SPY or SSPX?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | SSPX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.55% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $10M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.30% |
| Holdings | 505 | 6 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -34.0% |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $15,897Best | $12,842 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Janus Henderson Investors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Sep 8, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 348 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SPY has data through Sep 22, 2026 and SSPX through Oct 9, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2021 to Oct 9, 2025 (4.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SSPX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 16.2% 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 -24.5% for SPY and -34.0% for SSPX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SSPX charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $55 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.30% for SSPX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and SSPX 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 SSPX?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SSPX charges 0.55%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or SSPX?
SSPX has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 16.2% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs SSPX -34.0%.
Should I hold both SPY and SSPX?
SPY and SSPX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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, SPY or SSPX?
SPY yields 0.98% while SSPX yields 0.30%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SSPX better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.