SPY vs VLLU
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Harbor AlphaEdge Large Cap Value ETF
Which is better, SPY or VLLU?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, VLLU over 1Y. VLLU is less concentrated, with 37.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%.
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 | VLLU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $814.4B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 1.35% |
| Holdings | 505 | 75 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9% | 10.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -16.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $14,390Best | $13,865 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.0% | 37.4%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Harbor Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Sep 3, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 11 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 8, 2026 and VLLU through Aug 28, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2024 to Aug 28, 2026 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 10.7% for VLLU. 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 -16.6% for VLLU. 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 VLLU charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $25 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 1.35% for VLLU.
Holdings Overlap
36.0% of SPY's money is in holdings VLLU also owns. 81.8% of VLLU's money is in holdings SPY also owns.
Most of VLLU is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
60 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 74 in VLLU, against full books of 505 and 75.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 11 positions for VLLU that do not appear in our book for SPY (16.3% of the fund), and 433 for SPY that do not appear in VLLU (63.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in VLLU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc Ord | 6.83% | 3.51% | 3.32% |
| GOOGL Alphabet Inc. Class A | 3.33% | 6.15% | 2.82% |
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.71% | 1.71% | 6.00% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.92% | 4.75% | 3.83% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.51% | 3.67% | 2.16% |
| V'visa Inc., Class 'a'' | 0.92% | 3.14% | 2.22% |
| BACBank Of America Corp Preferred Stock 6.5 | 0.62% | 3.30% | 2.68% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp/The Bk Us Equity | 0.16% | 3.39% | 3.23% |
| CCitigroup, Inc. | 0.35% | 3.01% | 2.66% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 0.15% | 2.85% | 2.70% |
81.8% of VLLU is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VLLU?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VLLU charges 0.25%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or VLLU?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 10.7% for VLLU. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs VLLU -16.6%.
Should I hold both SPY and VLLU?
SPY and VLLU 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.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and VLLU?
81.8% of VLLU's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 81.8% of VLLU's is in holdings SPY also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 503 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 74 in VLLU.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VLLU?
SPY yields 1.01% while VLLU yields 1.35%, so VLLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VLLU better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, VLLU over 1Y. VLLU is less concentrated, with 37.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.