SPY vs XSEP
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, SPY or XSEP?
Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | XSEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $136M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +11.52%Best | +6.45% |
| 1Y Return | +17.48%Best | +8.79% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.62%Best | +9.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.73% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3% | 5.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -9.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $21,408Best | $15,050 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Option Writing |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Sep 21, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (4 years).
SPY vs XSEP 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 4 years both funds cover.
SPY vs XSEP 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 - September (XSEP) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +17.48% while XSEP returned +8.79%. Year to date, SPY is up 11.52% versus a gain of 6.45% for XSEP.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.62% per year against +9.40% for XSEP. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +20.96% annualized vs +10.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 5.1% for XSEP. 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 -9.2% for XSEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. 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 XSEP 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 XSEP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and XSEP 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 XSEP?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XSEP charges 0.85%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or XSEP?
Over the past year SPY returned +17.48% vs +8.79% for XSEP, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SPY annualized +20.96% vs +10.76% for XSEP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or XSEP?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 5.1% for XSEP. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs XSEP -9.2%.
Should I hold both SPY and XSEP?
SPY and XSEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 XSEP?
SPY yields 0.98% while XSEP yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSEP 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 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.