ILS vs SPY
Brookmont Catastrophic Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, ILS or SPY?
Intermediate Term Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y 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 | ILS | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.58% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $108M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.00% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 129 | 1,515 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.8%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.6%Best | -12.1% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $11,260 | $13,902Best |
| Fund Family | ILS ETFs | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Intermediate Term Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 27 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ILS has data through Sep 17, 2026 and SPY through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 2.8% for ILS. 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 -1.6% for ILS and -12.1% 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 0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILS charges 1.58% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $158 vs $9 annually, a gap of $149 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILS currently yields 8.00% against 0.99% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in ILS and 504 in SPY, totalling 8.0% and 99.8% 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 9 positions we hold weights for in ILS and 504 in SPY, against full books of 129 and 1,515.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ILS and SPY 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, ILS or SPY?
ILS has an expense ratio of 1.58% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $149 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ILS or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 2.8% for ILS. Worst drawdown: ILS -1.6% vs SPY -12.1%.
Should I hold both ILS and SPY?
ILS and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.02, 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, ILS or SPY?
ILS yields 8.00% while SPY yields 0.99%, so ILS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than ILS?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.