SPY vs SSUS
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Day Hagan Smart Sector ETF
Which is better, SPY or SSUS?
Nearly the same fund. SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SSUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 88.1%.
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 | SSUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.77% |
| AUM | $814.4B | $584M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 505 | 16 |
| YTD Return | +13.34% | +15.61%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.97% | +21.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.81%Best | +10.74% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1% | -23.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,270Best | $16,654 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0%Best | 88.1% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Day Hagan Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 16, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2020 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.6 years).
SPY vs SSUS 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 6.6 years both funds cover.
SPY vs SSUS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Day Hagan Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) is an ETF from Day Hagan Funds. Over the past year SPY returned +19.97% while SSUS returned +21.34%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.34% versus a gain of 15.61% for SSUS.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.20% per year against +17.42% for SSUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.81% and +10.74% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.81% annualized vs +13.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 14.8% for SSUS. 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 -23.8% for SSUS. 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 SSUS charges 0.77%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $77 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.46% for SSUS.
Holdings Overlap
25.3% of SPY's money is in holdings SSUS also owns. 11.2% of SSUS's money is in holdings SPY also owns.
SPY and SSUS share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 16 in SSUS, against full books of 505 and 16.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 503 and 16 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 488 positions SSUS does not, 74.1% of the fund.
Largest: AMZN 4.08%, AVGO 2.97%, GOOG 2.67%, MU 1.51%, JPM 1.44%
25.3% of SPY is already inside SSUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or SSUS?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SSUS charges 0.77%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or SSUS?
Over the past year SPY returned +19.97% vs +21.34% for SSUS, so SSUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), SPY annualized +14.81% vs +13.72% for SSUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or SSUS?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 14.8% for SSUS. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs SSUS -23.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and SSUS?
SPY and SSUS 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.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and SSUS?
25.3% of SPY's money is in holdings SSUS also owns. 11.2% of SSUS's is in holdings SPY also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 16 in SSUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SSUS?
SPY yields 1.01% while SSUS yields 0.46%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SSUS better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SSUS over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 88.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.