NTRL vs SPY
First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, NTRL or SPY?
Market Neutral Strategy 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 | NTRL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $15M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.36% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 24 | 1,515 |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -10.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $8,467 | $13,926Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 4, 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 712 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NTRL has data through Nov 1, 2024 and SPY through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 25, 2023 to Nov 1, 2024 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.2% for NTRL and -10.0% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NTRL 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, NTRL currently yields 6.36% against 0.99% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 40.6% of SPY's money is in holdings NTRL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NTRL, our book for it covers 1.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
150 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in NTRL and 504 in SPY, against full books of 24 and 1,515.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NTRL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 0.01% | 7.78% | 7.77% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.01% | 7.45% | 7.44% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.01% | 2.48% | 2.47% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 0.00% | 2.22% | 2.22% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.01% | 1.59% | 1.58% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 0.00% | 1.54% | 1.54% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.01% | 1.37% | 1.36% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.00% | 1.22% | 1.22% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 0.01% | 0.71% | 0.70% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc Accenture Plc, Class A | 0.00% | 0.70% | 0.70% |
40.6% of SPY is already inside NTRL.
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, NTRL or SPY?
NTRL 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.
What is the holdings overlap between NTRL and SPY?
At least 40.6% of SPY's money is in holdings NTRL also owns. Our book for NTRL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 150 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in NTRL and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, NTRL or SPY?
NTRL yields 6.36% while SPY yields 0.99%, so NTRL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than NTRL?
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.