SPY vs TMFS
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF
Which is better, SPY or TMFS?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Growth.
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 | TMFS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $57M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 35 |
| YTD Return | +10.96%Best | -3.36% |
| 1Y Return | +15.52%Best | -4.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.73%Best | +6.04% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.53%Best | -3.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 23.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -48.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,044Best | $8,587 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Motley Fool Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Oct 30, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 30, 2018 to Sep 16, 2026 (7.9 years).
SPY vs TMFS 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
SPY vs TMFS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Motley Fool Small-Cap Growth ETF (TMFS) is an ETF from Motley Fool Asset Management. Over the past year SPY returned +15.52% while TMFS returned -4.52%. Year to date, SPY is up 10.96% versus a loss of 3.36% for TMFS.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.73% per year against +6.04% for TMFS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.53% and -3.00% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +15.12% annualized vs +7.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TMFS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% compared with 16.7% 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 -34.1% for SPY and -48.8% for TMFS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while TMFS charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $85 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.00% for TMFS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 33 in TMFS, totalling 99.9% and 93.7% 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 33 in TMFS, against full books of 505 and 35.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and TMFS 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 TMFS?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TMFS charges 0.85%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or TMFS?
Over the past year SPY returned +15.52% vs -4.52% for TMFS, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), SPY annualized +15.12% vs +7.80% for TMFS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or TMFS?
TMFS has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 16.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs TMFS -48.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and TMFS?
SPY and TMFS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 TMFS?
SPY yields 0.98% while TMFS yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TMFS 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.