SPY vs WISE
SPY vs WISE
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | WISE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.35% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $26M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 4.16% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 48 | |
| YTD Return | +13.79% | -4.52% | |
| 1Y Return | +23.66% | +4.34% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.40% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 31.7% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -39.1% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Themes ETFs | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Dec 8, 2023 |
SPY vs WISE Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) is a ETF from Themes ETFs. Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% while WISE returned +4.34%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a loss of 4.52% for WISE.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WISE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.7% compared with 15.3% 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 -56.5% for SPY and -39.1% for WISE. 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WISE charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $35 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 4.16% for WISE.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and WISE share 8 holdings out of 536 unique holdings combined, representing a 16.6% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in WISE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.31% | 4.91% | 2.40% |
| AMZN | 3.69% | 3.63% | 0.06% |
| AVGO | 2.73% | 3.46% | 0.73% |
| AMD | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| PLTR | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| ORCL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| ANET | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 8 holdings SPY shares with WISE Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. X-ray my whole portfolio$99/yr Pro · 7-day refund | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or WISE?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WISE charges 0.35%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $26 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or WISE?
Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% vs +4.34% for WISE, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +18.29% for WISE. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or WISE?
WISE has been the more volatile fund at 31.7% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs WISE -39.1%.
Should I hold both SPY and WISE?
SPY and WISE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and WISE?
SPY and WISE share 8 common holdings with a 16.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 536 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or WISE?
SPY yields 1.01% while WISE yields 4.16%, so WISE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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