SPY vs TXUG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Thornburg International Growth ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | TXUG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.70% | |
| AUM | $814.4B | $4M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.46% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 42 | |
| YTD Return | +12.87% | +11.21% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.13% | +9.71% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.86% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.69% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.5% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -18.6% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Thornburg Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 23, 2025 |
SPY vs TXUG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Thornburg International Growth ETF (TXUG) is a ETF from Thornburg Investment Management. Over the past year SPY returned +21.13% while TXUG returned +9.71%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.87% versus a gain of 11.21% for TXUG.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.5% for TXUG. 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 -56.5% for SPY and -18.6% for TXUG. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
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 TXUG charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $70 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.46% for TXUG.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and TXUG share 6 holdings out of 540 unique holdings combined, representing a 5.6% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or TXUG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TXUG charges 0.70%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $61 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or TXUG?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.13% vs +9.71% for TXUG, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.80% vs +6.60% for TXUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or TXUG?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.5% for TXUG. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs TXUG -18.6%.
Should I hold both SPY and TXUG?
SPY and TXUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and TXUG?
SPY and TXUG share 6 common holdings with a 5.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 540 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or TXUG?
SPY yields 1.01% while TXUG yields 0.46%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Popular ETF Comparisons
Get Full ETF Analytics
Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.