SPY vs XTJA
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Innovator US Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January
Which is better, SPY or XTJA?
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 0.93.
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 | XTJA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $20M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +12.22%Best | +10.90% |
| 1Y Return | +16.97%Best | +14.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16%Best | +14.49% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.00% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -26.2% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $16,956Best | $14,104 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Dec 31, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 3, 2022 to Sep 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
SPY vs XTJA 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
SPY vs XTJA Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Innovator US Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - January (XTJA) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year SPY returned +16.97% while XTJA returned +14.36%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.22% versus a gain of 10.90% for XTJA.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.16% per year against +14.49% for XTJA.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 13.7% for XTJA. 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 -24.5% for SPY and -26.2% for XTJA. 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 XTJA charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $79 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.00% for XTJA.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and XTJA 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 XTJA?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XTJA charges 0.79%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or XTJA?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.97% vs +14.36% for XTJA, 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 XTJA?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 13.7% for XTJA. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs XTJA -26.2%.
Should I hold both SPY and XTJA?
SPY and XTJA 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 XTJA?
SPY yields 0.98% while XTJA yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XTJA 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.