SPY vs TMAR
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March
Which is better, SPY or TMAR?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, TMAR over 1Y.
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 | TMAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $19M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +12.09% | +16.62%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.29% | +20.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1% | 7.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -13.7% | -9.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,490Best | $13,465 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 21, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 24, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
SPY vs TMAR 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
SPY vs TMAR Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March (TMAR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% while TMAR returned +20.60%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.09% versus a gain of 16.62% for TMAR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 7.7% for TMAR. 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 -13.7% for SPY and -9.9% for TMAR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while TMAR charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $95 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.00% for TMAR.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and TMAR 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 TMAR?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TMAR charges 0.95%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or TMAR?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% vs +20.60% for TMAR, so TMAR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +22.09% vs +21.94% for TMAR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or TMAR?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 7.7% for TMAR. Worst drawdown: SPY -13.7% vs TMAR -9.9%.
Should I hold both SPY and TMAR?
SPY and TMAR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 TMAR?
SPY yields 0.98% while TMAR yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TMAR better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, TMAR over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.