SPY vs XOCT
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October
Which is better, SPY or XOCT?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | XOCT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $73M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +12.09%Best | +6.74% |
| 1Y Return | +16.29%Best | +9.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | +10.33% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4% | 4.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -10.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $18,717Best | $13,299 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Oct 20, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 23, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.9 years).
SPY vs XOCT 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
SPY vs XOCT Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October (XOCT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% while XOCT returned +9.61%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.09% versus a gain of 6.74% for XOCT.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.20% per year against +10.33% for XOCT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 4.6% for XOCT. 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 -18.8% for SPY and -10.0% for XOCT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XOCT 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 0.98% against 0.00% for XOCT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and XOCT you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or XOCT?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XOCT charges 0.85%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or XOCT?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% vs +9.61% for XOCT, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or XOCT?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 4.6% for XOCT. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs XOCT -10.0%.
Should I hold both SPY and XOCT?
SPY and XOCT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XOCT?
SPY yields 0.98% while XOCT yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XOCT better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.