BERZ vs SPY

BERZ vs SPY

Which is better, BERZ or SPY?

Opposite sides of the same exposure.

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.85, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.3%.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYLess Concentrated: SPY

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

MetricBERZSPY
Expense Ratio0.95%0.09%Best
AUM$6M$823.2B
Dividend Yield0.00%0.99%
Holdings151,515
YTD Return-67.77%+13.53%Best
1Y Return-72.86%+17.47%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-76.11%+22.36%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-66.66%+13.21%Best
Volatility (annualized)82.1%15.6%Best
Max Drawdown--24.5%
$10,000 over 5 years$41$18,596Best
Top 10 Weight68.3%38.2%Best
Fund FamilyBMO Capital MarketsState Street Investment Management
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleTrading-Inverse EquityLarge Cap Blend
InceptionAug 17, 2021Jan 22, 1993

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 18, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.2 years).

BERZ vs SPY 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.

BERZ vs SPY Performance

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN (BERZ) is an ETF from BMO Capital Markets and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BERZ returned -72.86% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, BERZ is down 67.77% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.

Over three years, BERZ compounded at -76.11% per year against +22.36% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -66.66% and +13.21% respectively.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

BERZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 82.1% compared with 15.6% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.85. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.

Fees and Cost Over Time

BERZ charges 0.95% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $9 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BERZ currently yields 0.00% against 0.99% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

BERZ already in SPY100.0%
SPY already in BERZ39.5%

100.0% of BERZ's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 39.5% of SPY's money is in holdings BERZ also owns.

They hold the same names on opposite sides, so owning both offsets the exposure rather than doubling it.

15 positions in common, counted across the 15 positions we hold weights for in BERZ and 504 in SPY, against full books of 15 and 1,515.

What only one of them owns

Measured across the 15 and 504 positions we hold weights for.

SPY holds 481 positions BERZ does not, 59.6% of the fund.

Largest: GOOG 2.49%, BRK.B 1.44%, JPM 1.43%, LLY 1.37%, XOM 1.04%

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in BERZWeight in SPYDifference
NVDANvidia Corp6.74%7.78%1.04%
AAPLApple, Inc6.50%7.45%0.95%
MSFTMicrosoft Corp6.81%5.71%1.10%
AMZNAmazon.Com Inc6.44%3.78%2.66%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc6.46%3.12%3.34%
METAMeta Platforms Inc7.15%2.22%4.93%
AVGOBroadcom Inc6.45%2.48%3.97%
MUMicron Technology, Inc.6.88%1.59%5.29%
AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc7.17%1.22%5.95%
INTCIntel Corporation7.26%0.73%6.53%

100.0% of BERZ is already inside SPY.

You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.

BERZSPY

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, BERZ or SPY?

BERZ has an expense ratio of 0.95% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, BERZ or SPY?

Over the past year BERZ returned -72.86% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, BERZ or SPY?

BERZ has been the more volatile fund at 82.1% annualized versus 15.6% for SPY.

Should I hold both BERZ and SPY?

BERZ and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.85, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.

What is the holdings overlap between BERZ and SPY?

100.0% of BERZ's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 39.5% of SPY's is in holdings BERZ also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 15 positions we hold weights for in BERZ and 504 in SPY.

Which pays a higher dividend, BERZ or SPY?

BERZ yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.99%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is SPY better than BERZ?

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.85, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.