SPE vs TBFG
Special Opportunities Fund Inc vs The Brinsmere Fund - Growth ETF
Which is better, SPE or TBFG?
TBFG has been ahead.
TBFG has a lower expense ratio. TBFG 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 | SPE | TBFG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.89% | 0.46%Best |
| AUM | $166M | $386M |
| Dividend Yield | 8.78% | 2.45% |
| Holdings | 158 | 24 |
| YTD Return | -10.14% | +8.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.08% | +12.49%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.96% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.02% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8% | 9.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.8% | -14.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $13,059 | $13,586Best |
| Fund Family | Special Opportunities Fund | Brinsmere Fund |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Jun 8, 1993 | Jan 12, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 16, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.7 years).
SPE vs TBFG 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
SPE vs TBFG Performance
Special Opportunities Fund Inc (SPE) is an ETF from Special Opportunities Fund and The Brinsmere Fund - Growth ETF (TBFG) is an ETF from Brinsmere Fund. Over the past year SPE returned -12.08% while TBFG returned +12.49%. Year to date, SPE is down 10.14% versus a gain of 8.65% for TBFG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 9.1% for TBFG. 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 -20.8% for SPE and -14.2% for TBFG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPE charges 4.89% per year while TBFG charges 0.46%. On a $10,000 position that is $489 vs $46 annually, a gap of $443 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPE currently yields 8.78% against 2.45% for TBFG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 104 holdings in SPE and 23 in TBFG, totalling 132.7% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 274 days apart, SPE as of Dec 31, 2025 and TBFG as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 104 positions we hold weights for in SPE and 23 in TBFG, against full books of 158 and 24.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPE and TBFG 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, SPE or TBFG?
SPE has an expense ratio of 4.89% while TBFG charges 0.46%. TBFG is the cheaper option, by $443 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPE or TBFG?
Over the past year SPE returned -12.08% vs +12.49% for TBFG, so TBFG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPE or TBFG?
SPE has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 9.1% for TBFG. Worst drawdown: SPE -20.8% vs TBFG -14.2%.
Should I hold both SPE and TBFG?
SPE and TBFG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, SPE or TBFG?
SPE yields 8.78% while TBFG yields 2.45%, so SPE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TBFG better than SPE?
TBFG has a lower expense ratio. TBFG 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.