SPY vs XIJN
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs FT Vest US Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June
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 | XIJN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.85% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $51M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 7.01% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 7 | |
| YTD Return | +14.47% | -0.02% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.96% | +1.82% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.70% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.30% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 1.8% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -4.7% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 21, 2024 |
SPY vs XIJN Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and FT Vest US Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - June (XIJN) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +21.96% while XIJN returned +1.82%. Year to date, SPY is up 14.47% versus a loss of 0.02% for XIJN.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 1.8% for XIJN. 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 -4.7% for XIJN. 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 0.51. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XIJN charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $85 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 7.01% for XIJN.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XIJN share 0 holdings out of 508 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 XIJN?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XIJN charges 0.85%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $76 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or XIJN?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.96% vs +1.82% for XIJN, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.87% vs +5.00% for XIJN. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or XIJN?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 1.8% for XIJN. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XIJN -4.7%.
Should I hold both SPY and XIJN?
SPY and XIJN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XIJN?
SPY and XIJN share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 508 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XIJN?
SPY yields 1.01% while XIJN yields 7.01%, so XIJN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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