Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPYXTOCWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.79%
AUM$789.1B$26M
Dividend Yield1.01%0.00%
Holdings5055
YTD Return+13.79%+9.90%
1Y Return+23.66%+15.51%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.40%+14.89%
5Y Return (annualized)+13.37%-
Volatility (annualized)15.3%13.1%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-24.1%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementInnovator ETFs Trust
CategoryEquityAlternative
InceptionJan 22, 1993Sep 30, 2021

SPY vs XTOC Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Innovator US Equity Accelerated Plus ETF - October (XTOC) is a ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% while XTOC returned +15.51%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a gain of 9.90% for XTOC.

Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.40% per year against +14.89% for XTOC. Across the full 5-year window we track, XTOC has the edge at +8.93% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.1% for XTOC. 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 -24.1% for XTOC. 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 0.91. 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 XTOC 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 1.01% against 0.00% for XTOC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or XTOC?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XTOC charges 0.79%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $70 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or XTOC?

Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% vs +15.51% for XTOC, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +8.93% for XTOC. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or XTOC?

SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.1% for XTOC. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs XTOC -24.1%.

Should I hold both SPY and XTOC?

SPY and XTOC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or XTOC?

SPY yields 1.01% while XTOC yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.