MRAD vs SPY
SmartETFs Advertising and Marketing Technology ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MRAD or SPY?
All Cap Blend 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 | MRAD | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $771,986.96 | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 31 | 1,515 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.3% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $6,115 | $16,045Best |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 31, 2020 | 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 713 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MRAD has data through Nov 1, 2024 and SPY through Oct 15, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 31, 2020 to Nov 1, 2024 (3.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MRAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.7% compared with 16.0% 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 -64.3% for MRAD and -24.5% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MRAD charges 0.68% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $9 annually, a gap of $59 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MRAD currently yields 0.00% against 0.99% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MRAD 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, MRAD or SPY?
MRAD has an expense ratio of 0.68% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $59 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MRAD or SPY?
MRAD has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 16.0% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MRAD -64.3% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both MRAD and SPY?
MRAD and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, MRAD or SPY?
MRAD yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.99%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MRAD?
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.