SPY vs TAIL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Cambria Tail Risk ETF
Which is better, SPY or TAIL?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.70, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | TAIL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $154M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 3.04% |
| Holdings | 505 | 11 |
| YTD Return | +13.82%Best | -13.12% |
| 1Y Return | +16.96%Best | -14.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.97%Best | -6.32% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.73%Best | -10.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 11.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -55.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,027Best | $5,882 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Cambria Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Apr 5, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 6, 2017 to Sep 21, 2026 (9.5 years).
SPY vs TAIL 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 9.5 years both funds cover.
SPY vs TAIL Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management. Over the past year SPY returned +16.96% while TAIL returned -14.65%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.82% versus a loss of 13.12% for TAIL.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +22.97% per year against -6.32% for TAIL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.73% and -10.07% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.29% annualized vs -7.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% compared with 11.1% for TAIL. 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 -55.2% for TAIL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.70. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while TAIL charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $59 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 3.04% for TAIL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 2 in TAIL, totalling 99.9% and 93.4% 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 2 in TAIL, against full books of 505 and 11.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and TAIL 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 TAIL?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TAIL charges 0.59%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or TAIL?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.96% vs -14.65% for TAIL, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), SPY annualized +14.29% vs -7.74% for TAIL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or TAIL?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 11.1% for TAIL. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs TAIL -55.2%.
Should I hold both SPY and TAIL?
SPY and TAIL have a monthly-return correlation of -0.70, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or TAIL?
SPY yields 0.98% while TAIL yields 3.04%, so TAIL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TAIL better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.70, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.