LEGR vs SPY
First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, LEGR or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. LEGR led over 3Y, SPY over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. LEGR is less concentrated, with 20.1% 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 | LEGR | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $128M | $811.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.75% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 228 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | +10.29% | +14.77%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.07% | +18.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.51%Best | +22.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.45% | +13.84%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.1% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,195 | $19,119Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.1%Best | 38.2% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2018 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2018 to Oct 13, 2026 (8.7 years).
LEGR 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
LEGR vs SPY Performance
First Trust Indxx Innovative Transaction & Process ETF (LEGR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year LEGR returned +18.07% while SPY returned +18.61%. Year to date, LEGR is up 10.29% versus a gain of 14.77% for SPY.
Over three years, LEGR compounded at +23.51% per year against +22.83% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +11.45% and +13.84% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.28% annualized vs +11.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LEGR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 16.3% 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 -36.1% for LEGR 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LEGR charges 0.65% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $9 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LEGR currently yields 1.75% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
41.9% of LEGR's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 33.0% of SPY's money is in holdings LEGR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
39 positions in common, counted across the 104 positions we hold weights for in LEGR and 504 in SPY, against full books of 228 and 1,515.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 458 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for LEGR (66.2% of the fund), and 8 for LEGR that do not appear in SPY (7.4%).
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 LEGR | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.44% | 7.78% | 6.34% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.48% | 5.71% | 4.23% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.46% | 3.78% | 2.32% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.92% | 1.59% | 1.33% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.08% | 1.22% | 1.86% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.68% | 0.73% | 1.95% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.85% | 1.43% | 0.58% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.63% | 1.54% | 0.91% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 1.38% | 0.71% | 0.67% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.67% | 0.38% | 1.29% |
41.9% of LEGR 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, LEGR or SPY?
LEGR has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LEGR or SPY?
Over the past year LEGR returned +18.07% vs +18.61% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), LEGR annualized +11.02% vs +13.28% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LEGR or SPY?
LEGR has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 16.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: LEGR -36.1% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both LEGR and SPY?
LEGR and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 LEGR and SPY?
41.9% of LEGR's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 33.0% of SPY's is in holdings LEGR also owns. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 104 positions we hold weights for in LEGR and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, LEGR or SPY?
LEGR yields 1.75% while SPY yields 0.98%, so LEGR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than LEGR?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. LEGR led over 3Y, SPY over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. LEGR is less concentrated, with 20.1% 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.