SPY vs WDTE
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Defiance S&P 500 Weekly Distribution ETF
Which is better, SPY or WDTE?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | WDTE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 1.03% |
| AUM | $814.4B | $68M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 33.01% |
| Holdings | 505 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +13.78%Best | +12.86% |
| 1Y Return | +21.44%Best | +18.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38%Best | +14.49% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.80% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4% | 10.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $18,221Best | $15,007 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Sep 18, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 19, 2023 to Sep 3, 2026 (3 years).
SPY vs WDTE 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 3 years both funds cover.
SPY vs WDTE Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Defiance S&P 500 Weekly Distribution ETF (WDTE) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year SPY returned +21.44% while WDTE returned +18.82%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.78% versus a gain of 12.86% for WDTE.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.38% per year against +14.49% for WDTE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 10.3% for WDTE. 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 -15.8% for WDTE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WDTE charges 1.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $103 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 33.01% for WDTE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 1 in WDTE, totalling 100.0% and 3.0% 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 1 in WDTE, against full books of 505 and 10.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and WDTE 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 WDTE?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WDTE charges 1.03%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or WDTE?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.44% vs +18.82% for WDTE, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or WDTE?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 10.3% for WDTE. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs WDTE -15.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and WDTE?
SPY and WDTE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or WDTE?
SPY yields 1.01% while WDTE yields 33.01%, so WDTE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDTE better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.