SPY vs TPMN
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Timothy Plan Market Neutral ETF
Which is better, SPY or TPMN?
Large Cap Blend against Allocation/Balanced.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y 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 | TPMN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.65% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $31M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 4.08% |
| Holdings | 505 | 298 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7% | 4.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -5.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $16,282Best | $11,067 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Timothy Plan |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 24, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 415 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SPY has data through Sep 10, 2026 and TPMN through Jul 22, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2023 to Jul 22, 2025 (2.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 4.5% for TPMN. 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 -18.8% for SPY and -5.1% for TPMN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while TPMN charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $65 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 4.08% for TPMN.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and TPMN 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 TPMN?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TPMN charges 0.65%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or TPMN?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 4.5% for TPMN. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs TPMN -5.1%.
Should I hold both SPY and TPMN?
SPY and TPMN have a monthly-return correlation of -0.41, 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 TPMN?
SPY yields 0.98% while TPMN yields 4.08%, so TPMN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TPMN better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.