SPY vs SURE
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SURE delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | SURE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.90% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $58M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.87% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 102 | |
| YTD Return | +12.93% | +18.28% | |
| 1Y Return | +20.62% | +27.46% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.00% | +17.41% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.33% | +10.95% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 15.5% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -35.7% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Advisor Shares | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Oct 4, 2011 |
SPY vs SURE Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and AdvisorShares Insider Advantage ETF (SURE) is a ETF from Advisor Shares. Over the past year SPY returned +20.62% while SURE returned +27.46%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.93% versus a gain of 18.28% for SURE.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +22.00% per year against +17.41% for SURE; over five years the annualized figures are +13.33% and +10.95% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SURE has the edge at +13.41% annualized vs +8.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SURE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 15.3% 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 -56.5% for SPY and -35.7% for SURE. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SURE charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $90 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.87% for SURE.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and SURE share 49 holdings out of 556 unique holdings combined, representing a 12.7% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or SURE?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SURE charges 0.90%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $81 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or SURE?
Over the past year SPY returned +20.62% vs +27.46% for SURE, so SURE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SPY annualized +8.82% vs +13.41% for SURE. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or SURE?
SURE has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs SURE -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPY and SURE?
SPY and SURE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and SURE?
SPY and SURE share 49 common holdings with a 12.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 556 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or SURE?
SPY yields 1.01% while SURE yields 0.87%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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