SPY vs SVOL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Simplify Volatility Premium ETF
Which is better, SPY or SVOL?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | SVOL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.66% |
| AUM | $811.2B | $512M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 21.08% |
| Holdings | 1,515 | 109 |
| YTD Return | +13.54%Best | +9.40% |
| 1Y Return | +16.25%Best | +11.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.72%Best | +8.76% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.95%Best | +8.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -33.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,212Best | $15,057 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | May 12, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 13, 2021 to Oct 2, 2026 (5.4 years).
SPY vs SVOL 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
SPY vs SVOL Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) is an ETF from Simplify Exchange Traded Funds. Over the past year SPY returned +16.25% while SVOL returned +11.92%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.54% versus a gain of 9.40% for SVOL.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +23.72% per year against +8.76% for SVOL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.95% and +8.53% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.4% for SVOL. 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 -33.5% for SVOL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SVOL charges 0.66%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $66 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 21.08% for SVOL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 10 in SVOL, totalling 99.8% and 48.8% 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 10 in SVOL, against full books of 1,515 and 109.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and SVOL 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 SVOL?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SVOL charges 0.66%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or SVOL?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.25% vs +11.92% for SVOL, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or SVOL?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.4% for SVOL. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs SVOL -33.5%.
Should I hold both SPY and SVOL?
SPY and SVOL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 SVOL?
SPY yields 0.98% while SVOL yields 21.08%, so SVOL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SVOL better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.