SPY vs WTPI
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs WisdomTree Equity Premium Income Fund
Which is better, SPY or WTPI?
Large Cap Blend against Leverage Strategy.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | WTPI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.44% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $525M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 12.18% |
| Holdings | 505 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +13.82%Best | +7.60% |
| 1Y Return | +16.96%Best | +12.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.97%Best | +14.72% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.73%Best | +9.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 10.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1% | -32.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,027Best | $15,836 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Leverage Strategy |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Feb 24, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2016 to Sep 21, 2026 (10.6 years).
SPY vs WTPI 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
SPY vs WTPI Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and WisdomTree Equity Premium Income Fund (WTPI) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year SPY returned +16.96% while WTPI returned +12.48%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.82% versus a gain of 7.60% for WTPI.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +22.97% per year against +14.72% for WTPI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.73% and +9.63% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.82% annualized vs +7.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 10.6% for WTPI. 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 -34.1% for SPY and -32.3% for WTPI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WTPI charges 0.44%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $44 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 12.18% for WTPI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 1 in WTPI, totalling 99.9% and 4.4% 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 WTPI, against full books of 505 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and WTPI 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 WTPI?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WTPI charges 0.44%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or WTPI?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.96% vs +12.48% for WTPI, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SPY annualized +14.82% vs +7.07% for WTPI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or WTPI?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 10.6% for WTPI. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs WTPI -32.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and WTPI?
SPY and WTPI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 WTPI?
SPY yields 0.98% while WTPI yields 12.18%, so WTPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WTPI better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.