SPY vs YETH

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

MetricSPYYETHWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.96%
AUM$789.1B$61M
Dividend Yield1.01%81.06%
Holdings5059
YTD Return+13.75%-41.07%
1Y Return+22.91%-50.90%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.67%-
5Y Return (annualized)+13.32%-
Volatility (annualized)15.3%50.4%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-65.1%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementRoundhill Investments
CategoryEquityAlternative
InceptionJan 22, 1993Sep 4, 2024

SPY vs YETH Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Roundhill Ether Covered Call Strategy ETF (YETH) is a ETF from Roundhill Investments. Over the past year SPY returned +22.91% while YETH returned -50.90%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.75% versus a loss of 41.07% for YETH.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

YETH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 50.4% 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 -65.1% for YETH. 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 0.32. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPY charges 0.09% per year while YETH charges 0.96%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $96 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 81.06% for YETH.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or YETH?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while YETH charges 0.96%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $87 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or YETH?

Over the past year SPY returned +22.91% vs -50.90% for YETH, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs -26.37% for YETH. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or YETH?

YETH has been the more volatile fund at 50.4% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs YETH -65.1%.

Should I hold both SPY and YETH?

SPY and YETH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or YETH?

SPY yields 1.01% while YETH yields 81.06%, so YETH currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

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