SPY vs ZTAX
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF
Which is better, SPY or ZTAX?
Large Cap Blend against Municipal Bond.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | ZTAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.92% |
| AUM | $811.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 4.72% |
| Holdings | 1,515 | 33 |
| YTD Return | +14.85%Best | -6.86% |
| 1Y Return | +17.26%Best | -2.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.95%Best | +3.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.89% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6% | 8.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -16.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $19,454Best | $11,123 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | X-Square Capital |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | May 17, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2023 to Oct 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
SPY vs ZTAX 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 3.4 years both funds cover.
SPY vs ZTAX Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and X-Square Municipal Income Tax Free ETF (ZTAX) is an ETF from X-Square Capital. Over the past year SPY returned +17.26% while ZTAX returned -2.96%. Year to date, SPY is up 14.85% versus a loss of 6.86% for ZTAX.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +22.95% per year against +3.81% for ZTAX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.6% compared with 8.6% for ZTAX. 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 -18.8% for SPY and -16.3% for ZTAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.25. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while ZTAX charges 0.92%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $92 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 4.72% for ZTAX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 11 in ZTAX, totalling 99.8% and 82.4% 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 11 in ZTAX, against full books of 1,515 and 33.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and ZTAX 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 ZTAX?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while ZTAX charges 0.92%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or ZTAX?
Over the past year SPY returned +17.26% vs -2.96% for ZTAX, 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 ZTAX?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.6% annualized versus 8.6% for ZTAX. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs ZTAX -16.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and ZTAX?
SPY and ZTAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.25, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or ZTAX?
SPY yields 0.98% while ZTAX yields 4.72%, so ZTAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZTAX better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.