SPYM vs XLSI
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF vs State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, SPYM or XLSI?
Each has led over a different period.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over the full window, XLSI over 1Y.
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 | SPYM | XLSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.02%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $185.2B | $22M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 24.85% |
| Holdings | 509 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +11.53% | +11.62%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.40% | +14.35%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.38% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.01% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1%Best | 12.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9% | -7.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $12,172Best | $11,145 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 30, 2026 (1.3 years).
SPYM vs XLSI 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
SPYM vs XLSI Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SPYM returned +12.40% while XLSI returned +14.35%. Year to date, SPYM is up 11.53% versus a gain of 11.62% for XLSI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 12.1% for SPYM. 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 -8.9% for SPYM and -7.9% for XLSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.13. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPYM charges 0.02% per year while XLSI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $2 vs $35 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPYM currently yields 1.01% against 24.85% for XLSI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in SPYM and 2 in XLSI, totalling 99.8% and 100.6% 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 505 positions we hold weights for in SPYM and 2 in XLSI, against full books of 509 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPYM and XLSI 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, SPYM or XLSI?
SPYM has an expense ratio of 0.02% while XLSI charges 0.35%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPYM or XLSI?
Over the past year SPYM returned +12.40% vs +14.35% for XLSI, so XLSI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SPYM annualized +16.32% vs +8.70% for XLSI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPYM or XLSI?
XLSI has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 12.1% for SPYM. Worst drawdown: SPYM -8.9% vs XLSI -7.9%.
Should I hold both SPYM and XLSI?
SPYM and XLSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.13, 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, SPYM or XLSI?
SPYM yields 1.01% while XLSI yields 24.85%, so XLSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLSI better than SPYM?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM led over the full window, XLSI over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.