SPY vs XLRE
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, SPY or XLRE?
SPY has been ahead.
XLRE has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.5%.
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 | XLRE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.08%Best |
| AUM | $804.7B | $8.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 3.12% |
| Holdings | 505 | 34 |
| YTD Return | +12.22%Best | +7.99% |
| 1Y Return | +16.97%Best | +5.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16%Best | +9.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.00%Best | +1.61% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -39.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,424Best | $10,831 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8%Best | 61.5% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Oct 7, 2015 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 8, 2015 to Sep 17, 2026 (10.9 years).
SPY vs XLRE 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 10.9 years both funds cover.
SPY vs XLRE Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year SPY returned +16.97% while XLRE returned +5.69%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.22% versus a gain of 7.99% for XLRE.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.16% per year against +9.27% for XLRE; over five years the annualized figures are +13.00% and +1.61% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.72% annualized vs +5.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.0% 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 -34.1% for SPY and -39.3% for XLRE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XLRE charges 0.08%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $8 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 3.12% for XLRE.
Holdings Overlap
1.8% of SPY's money is in holdings XLRE also owns. 99.9% of XLRE's money is in holdings SPY also owns.
Most of XLRE is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 31 in XLRE, against full books of 505 and 34.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 504 and 31 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 467 positions XLRE does not, 97.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.01%, AAPL 7.26%, MSFT 5.66%, AMZN 3.79%, GOOGL 2.99%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in XLRE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 0.26% | 11.64% | 11.38% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 0.20% | 9.09% | 8.89% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.15% | 6.95% | 6.80% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 0.12% | 5.63% | 5.51% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 0.07% | 4.96% | 4.89% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 0.10% | 4.86% | 4.76% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 0.10% | 4.71% | 4.61% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 0.07% | 4.63% | 4.56% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 0.08% | 4.52% | 4.44% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 0.09% | 4.50% | 4.41% |
99.9% of XLRE is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or XLRE?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XLRE charges 0.08%. XLRE is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or XLRE?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.97% vs +5.69% for XLRE, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SPY annualized +13.72% vs +5.01% for XLRE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or XLRE?
XLRE has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs XLRE -39.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and XLRE?
SPY and XLRE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XLRE?
99.9% of XLRE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 99.9% of XLRE's is in holdings SPY also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 31 in XLRE.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XLRE?
SPY yields 0.98% while XLRE yields 3.12%, so XLRE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLRE better than SPY?
XLRE has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPY is less concentrated, with 37.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.