SPY vs ZHDG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF
Which is better, SPY or ZHDG?
Nearly the same fund. SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | ZHDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.97% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $35M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.42% |
| Holdings | 505 | 11 |
| YTD Return | +11.52%Best | +5.11% |
| 1Y Return | +17.48%Best | +8.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.62%Best | +12.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.73%Best | +5.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 12.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5% | -23.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,205Best | $12,983 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Zega ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jul 6, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2021 to Sep 10, 2026 (5.2 years).
SPY vs ZHDG 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
SPY vs ZHDG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF (ZHDG) is an ETF from Zega ETFs. Over the past year SPY returned +17.48% while ZHDG returned +8.92%. Year to date, SPY is up 11.52% versus a gain of 5.11% for ZHDG.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.62% per year against +12.83% for ZHDG; over five years the annualized figures are +12.73% and +5.36% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 12.4% for ZHDG. 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 -23.3% for ZHDG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. 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 ZHDG charges 0.97%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $97 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 2.42% for ZHDG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 2 in ZHDG, totalling 100.0% and 6.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 2 in ZHDG, against full books of 505 and 11.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and ZHDG 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 ZHDG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while ZHDG charges 0.97%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or ZHDG?
Over the past year SPY returned +17.48% vs +8.92% for ZHDG, 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 ZHDG?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 12.4% for ZHDG. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs ZHDG -23.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and ZHDG?
SPY and ZHDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 ZHDG?
SPY yields 0.98% while ZHDG yields 2.42%, so ZHDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZHDG better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.