SPY vs XT
SPY vs XT
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. XT delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | XT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.46% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $3.8B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 6.88% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 226 | |
| YTD Return | +13.79% | +18.51% | |
| 1Y Return | +23.66% | +36.28% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.40% | +17.74% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | +7.10% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 17.4% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -34.4% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | iShares by BlackRock (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 19, 2015 |
SPY vs XT Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% while XT returned +36.28%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a gain of 18.51% for XT.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.40% per year against +17.74% for XT; over five years the annualized figures are +13.37% and +7.10% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, XT has the edge at +11.86% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.3% 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 -56.5% for SPY and -34.4% for XT. 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 0.92. 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 XT charges 0.46%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $46 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 6.88% for XT.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and XT share 69 holdings out of 630 unique holdings combined, representing a 31.6% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.31% | 3.63% | 3.68% |
| MSFT | 4.43% | 3.21% | 1.22% |
| AMZN | 3.69% | 2.70% | 0.99% |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LLY | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TXN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| JNJ | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SPY shares with XT Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or XT?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XT charges 0.46%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $37 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or XT?
Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% vs +36.28% for XT, so XT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +11.86% for XT. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or XT?
XT has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XT -34.4%.
Should I hold both SPY and XT?
SPY and XT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and XT?
SPY and XT share 69 common holdings with a 31.6% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 630 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XT?
SPY yields 1.01% while XT yields 6.88%, so XT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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