SPY vs XIMR
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs FT Vest US Equity Buffer & Premium Income ETF - March
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | XIMR | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.85% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $30M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 6.51% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 14 | |
| YTD Return | +12.68% | +1.37% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.82% | +3.14% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.98% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.89% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 2.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -5.1% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 18, 2024 |
SPY vs XIMR 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 - March (XIMR) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +21.82% while XIMR returned +3.14%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.68% versus a gain of 1.37% for XIMR.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 2.3% for XIMR. 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 -5.1% for XIMR. 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XIMR 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 6.51% for XIMR.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XIMR share 0 holdings out of 506 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 XIMR?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XIMR 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 XIMR?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.82% vs +3.14% for XIMR, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.81% vs +5.39% for XIMR. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or XIMR?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 2.3% for XIMR. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XIMR -5.1%.
Should I hold both SPY and XIMR?
SPY and XIMR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XIMR?
SPY and XIMR share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 506 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XIMR?
SPY yields 1.01% while XIMR yields 6.51%, so XIMR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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