SPY vs XYLE
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Global X S&P 500 ESG Covered Call ETF
Which is better, SPY or XYLE?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, XYLE 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 | XYLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $823.2B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 16.97% |
| Holdings | 1,515 | 317 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.8% | 6.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -10.0% | -8.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $15,803Best | $13,069 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | GLOBALXETFS |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Feb 21, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 607 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 XYLE through Feb 14, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2023 to Feb 14, 2025 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 6.2% for XYLE. 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 -10.0% for SPY and -8.0% for XYLE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while XYLE charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $60 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.99% against 16.97% for XYLE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and XYLE 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 XYLE?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while XYLE charges 0.60%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or XYLE?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 6.2% for XYLE. Worst drawdown: SPY -10.0% vs XYLE -8.0%.
Should I hold both SPY and XYLE?
SPY and XYLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 XYLE?
SPY yields 0.99% while XYLE yields 16.97%, so XYLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XYLE better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, XYLE over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.