SPY vs WTMY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs WisdomTree High Income Laddered Municipal Fund 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 | WTMY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.35% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $5M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 3.40% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 147 | |
| YTD Return | +13.68% | +1.05% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.53% | +5.20% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.18% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 4.0% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -3.7% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | WisdomTree Investments | |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Apr 3, 2025 |
SPY vs WTMY Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and WisdomTree High Income Laddered Municipal Fund ETF (WTMY) is a ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year SPY returned +21.53% while WTMY returned +5.20%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.68% versus a gain of 1.05% for WTMY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 4.0% for WTMY. 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 -3.7% for WTMY. 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 0.49. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WTMY 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 3.40% for WTMY.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and WTMY share 0 holdings out of 531 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or WTMY?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WTMY 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 WTMY?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.53% vs +5.20% for WTMY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +4.10% for WTMY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or WTMY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 4.0% for WTMY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs WTMY -3.7%.
Should I hold both SPY and WTMY?
SPY and WTMY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and WTMY?
SPY and WTMY share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 531 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or WTMY?
SPY yields 1.01% while WTMY yields 3.40%, so WTMY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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