SPY vs WFH
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Direxion Work From Home ETF
Which is better, SPY or WFH?
Large Cap Blend against Mid Cap Growth.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, WFH over 1Y.
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 | WFH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $13M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 505 | 41 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8%Best | 21.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -51.2% |
| $10,000 over 5.3 years | $23,243Best | $15,044 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Direxion Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 25, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 322 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 WFH through Oct 23, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2020 to Oct 23, 2025 (5.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WFH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 15.8% for SPY. 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 -24.5% for SPY and -51.2% for WFH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WFH charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $45 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 1.05% for WFH.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and WFH 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 WFH?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WFH charges 0.45%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or WFH?
WFH has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 15.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs WFH -51.2%.
Should I hold both SPY and WFH?
SPY and WFH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 WFH?
SPY yields 0.98% while WFH yields 1.05%, so WFH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WFH better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, WFH over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.