SPY vs XAIX
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. XAIX delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | XAIX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.35% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $160M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.39% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 94 | |
| YTD Return | +13.68% | +32.40% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.53% | +46.02% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.18% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 26.2% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -23.9% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Xtrackers ETFs | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 4, 2024 |
SPY vs XAIX Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) is a ETF from Xtrackers ETFs. Over the past year SPY returned +21.53% while XAIX returned +46.02%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.68% versus a gain of 32.40% for XAIX.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XAIX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.2% 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 -23.9% for XAIX. 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XAIX 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 0.39% for XAIX.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XAIX share 34 holdings out of 572 unique holdings combined, representing a 34.4% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or XAIX?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XAIX 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 XAIX?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.53% vs +46.02% for XAIX, so XAIX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +40.31% for XAIX. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or XAIX?
XAIX has been the more volatile fund at 26.2% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XAIX -23.9%.
Should I hold both SPY and XAIX?
SPY and XAIX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XAIX?
SPY and XAIX share 34 common holdings with a 34.4% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 572 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XAIX?
SPY yields 1.01% while XAIX yields 0.39%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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