AFLG vs SPYM
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF vs State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, AFLG or SPYM?
Nearly the same fund. SPYM costs less.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y and 3Y, SPYM over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%.
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 | AFLG | SPYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.02%Best |
| AUM | $803M | $185.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 435 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +15.28%Best | +13.90% |
| 1Y Return | +17.84%Best | +17.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.61%Best | +22.56% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.73% | +13.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 16.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.8% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,205 | $18,572Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0%Best | 39.0% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2019 | Nov 8, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 4, 2019 to Oct 15, 2026 (6.9 years).
AFLG vs SPYM 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
AFLG vs SPYM Performance
First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF (AFLG) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year AFLG returned +17.84% while SPYM returned +17.37%. Year to date, AFLG is up 15.28% versus a gain of 13.90% for SPYM.
Over three years, AFLG compounded at +22.61% per year against +22.56% for SPYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.73% and +13.18% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, SPYM has the edge at +15.49% annualized vs +13.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 16.6% for AFLG. 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 -35.8% for AFLG and -34.3% for SPYM. 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
AFLG charges 0.55% per year while SPYM charges 0.02%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $2 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AFLG currently yields 0.71% against 1.01% for SPYM.
Holdings Overlap
88.3% of AFLG's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 61.8% of SPYM's money is in holdings AFLG also owns.
Most of AFLG is already inside SPYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
183 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 505 in SPYM, against full books of 435 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 315 positions for SPYM that do not appear in our book for AFLG (37.5% of the fund), and 31 for AFLG that do not appear in SPYM (10.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AFLG | Weight in SPYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.85% | 8.49% | 0.64% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.58% | 7.30% | 0.72% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.00% | 5.76% | 1.76% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 5.62% | 3.02% | 2.60% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.37% | 3.70% | 1.33% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.50% | 2.53% | 0.03% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.79% | 2.41% | 1.62% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.36% | 1.82% | 1.46% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 0.98% | 1.01% | 0.03% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 1.03% | 0.92% | 0.11% |
88.3% of AFLG is already inside SPYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AFLG or SPYM?
AFLG has an expense ratio of 0.55% while SPYM charges 0.02%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AFLG or SPYM?
Over the past year AFLG returned +17.84% vs +17.37% for SPYM, so AFLG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AFLG annualized +13.57% vs +15.49% for SPYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AFLG or SPYM?
SPYM has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 16.6% for AFLG. Worst drawdown: AFLG -35.8% vs SPYM -34.3%.
Should I hold both AFLG and SPYM?
AFLG and SPYM 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.
What is the holdings overlap between AFLG and SPYM?
88.3% of AFLG's money is in holdings SPYM also owns. 61.8% of SPYM's is in holdings AFLG also owns. They hold 183 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in AFLG and 505 in SPYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLG or SPYM?
AFLG yields 0.71% while SPYM yields 1.01%, so SPYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPYM better than AFLG?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. AFLG led over 1Y and 3Y, SPYM over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. AFLG is less concentrated, with 33.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.