SPY vs WBIE
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs WBI BullBear Rising Income 3000 ETF
Which is better, SPY or WBIE?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, WBIE over 1Y.
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 | SPY | WBIE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 1.24% |
| AUM | $823.2B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 0.02% |
| Holdings | 1,515 | 35 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1% | -21.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 6.7 years | $20,837Best | $13,005 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | WBI Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Aug 25, 2014 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1979 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SPY has data through Oct 14, 2026 and WBIE through May 14, 2021.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 6.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 27, 2014 to May 14, 2021 (6.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 11.2% for WBIE. 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 -34.1% for SPY and -21.1% for WBIE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WBIE charges 1.24%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $124 annually, a gap of $115 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.99% against 0.02% for WBIE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and WBIE 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, SPY or WBIE?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WBIE charges 1.24%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $115 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or WBIE?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 11.2% for WBIE. Worst drawdown: SPY -34.1% vs WBIE -21.1%.
Should I hold both SPY and WBIE?
SPY and WBIE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, SPY or WBIE?
SPY yields 0.99% while WBIE yields 0.02%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WBIE better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, WBIE over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.