GQRE vs SPY
Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, GQRE or SPY?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. GQRE is less concentrated, with 35.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%.
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 | GQRE | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $446M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.45% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 197 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | +1.63% | +13.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.94% | +17.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.26% | +22.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.12% | +13.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.0% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,060 | $18,596Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.9%Best | 38.2% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 5, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (12.9 years).
GQRE 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
GQRE vs SPY Performance
Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate ETF (GQRE) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year GQRE returned +2.94% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, GQRE is up 1.63% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.
Over three years, GQRE compounded at +10.26% per year against +22.36% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +0.12% and +13.21% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.69% annualized vs +2.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GQRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 14.5% for SPY. 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 -42.0% for GQRE and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GQRE charges 0.45% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $9 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GQRE currently yields 4.45% against 0.99% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
40.4% of GQRE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 1.4% of SPY's money is in holdings GQRE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
17 positions in common, counted across the 139 positions we hold weights for in GQRE and 504 in SPY, against full books of 197 and 1,515.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 479 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for GQRE (97.7% of the fund), and 42 for GQRE that do not appear in SPY (26.6%).
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 GQRE | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLDPrologis Inc | 7.20% | 0.19% | 7.01% |
| WELLWelltower Inc | 5.40% | 0.25% | 5.15% |
| EQIXEquinix, Inc. | 4.65% | 0.15% | 4.50% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 3.81% | 0.10% | 3.71% |
| VICIVici Properties Inc | 3.43% | 0.04% | 3.39% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 2.78% | 0.07% | 2.71% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 2.11% | 0.02% | 2.09% |
| KIMKimco Realty Corp. | 2.05% | 0.02% | 2.03% |
| DOCHealthpeak Properties Inc | 1.83% | 0.02% | 1.81% |
| REGRegency Centers Corp. | 1.62% | 0.02% | 1.60% |
40.4% of GQRE 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GQRE or SPY?
GQRE has an expense ratio of 0.45% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GQRE or SPY?
Over the past year GQRE returned +2.94% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), GQRE annualized +2.69% vs +12.69% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GQRE or SPY?
GQRE has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 14.5% for SPY. Worst drawdown: GQRE -42.0% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both GQRE and SPY?
GQRE and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GQRE and SPY?
40.4% of GQRE's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 1.4% of SPY's is in holdings GQRE also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 139 positions we hold weights for in GQRE and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, GQRE or SPY?
GQRE yields 4.45% while SPY yields 0.99%, so GQRE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than GQRE?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. GQRE is less concentrated, with 35.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.