Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: TiedMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPYVEFAWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.30%
AUM$789.1B$4M
Dividend Yield1.01%0.00%
Holdings505107
YTD Return+13.79%+17.82%
1Y Return+23.66%-
3Y Return (annualized)+21.40%-
5Y Return (annualized)+13.37%-
Volatility (annualized)15.3%-
Max Drawdown-56.5%-5.1%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementVanEck
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Apr 1, 2026

SPY vs VEFA Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and VanEck MSCI EAFE Analyst Sentiment ETF (VEFA) is a ETF from VanEck. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a gain of 17.82% for VEFA.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for SPY and -5.1% for VEFA. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPY charges 0.09% per year while VEFA charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $30 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.00% for VEFA.

Holdings Overlap

0.1%overlap

SPY and VEFA share 1 holdings out of 599 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.1% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in SPYWeight in VEFADifference
DTEG.N:BE0.05%1.16%1.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or VEFA?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VEFA charges 0.30%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $21 per year of difference.

What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VEFA?

SPY and VEFA share 1 common holdings with a 0.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 599 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VEFA?

SPY yields 1.01% while VEFA yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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