SPY vs XDEF
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | XDEF | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.35% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $4M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 1.57% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 32 | |
| YTD Return | +13.68% | -0.61% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.53% | - | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.18% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | - | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -19.0% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Xtrackers ETFs | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Feb 19, 2026 |
SPY vs XDEF Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Xtrackers Europe Defense Technologies ETF (XDEF) is a ETF from Xtrackers ETFs. Year to date, SPY is up 13.68% versus a loss of 0.61% for XDEF.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for SPY and -19.0% for XDEF. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XDEF 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 1.57% for XDEF.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XDEF share 0 holdings out of 538 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 XDEF?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XDEF charges 0.35%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $26 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XDEF?
SPY and XDEF share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 538 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XDEF?
SPY yields 1.01% while XDEF yields 1.57%, so XDEF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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