SPYM vs XLFI
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF vs State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, SPYM or XLFI?
SPYM has been ahead.
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM 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 | SPYM | XLFI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.02%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $185.2B | $9M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 11.99% |
| Holdings | 509 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +13.57%Best | +1.07% |
| 1Y Return | +17.53%Best | +3.90% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.29% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9% | 11.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -8.9%Best | -11.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,289Best | $10,679 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
SPYM vs XLFI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
SPYM vs XLFI Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SPYM returned +17.53% while XLFI returned +3.90%. Year to date, SPYM is up 13.57% versus a gain of 1.07% for XLFI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 11.1% for XLFI. 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 -8.9% for SPYM and -11.9% for XLFI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPYM charges 0.02% per year while XLFI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $2 vs $35 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPYM currently yields 1.01% against 11.99% for XLFI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in SPYM and 2 in XLFI, totalling 99.8% and 100.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in SPYM and 2 in XLFI, against full books of 509 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPYM and XLFI 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, SPYM or XLFI?
SPYM has an expense ratio of 0.02% while XLFI charges 0.35%. SPYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPYM or XLFI?
Over the past year SPYM returned +17.53% vs +3.90% for XLFI, so SPYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SPYM annualized +18.74% vs +5.63% for XLFI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPYM or XLFI?
SPYM has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 11.1% for XLFI. Worst drawdown: SPYM -8.9% vs XLFI -11.9%.
Should I hold both SPYM and XLFI?
SPYM and XLFI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, SPYM or XLFI?
SPYM yields 1.01% while XLFI yields 11.99%, so XLFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLFI better than SPYM?
SPYM has a lower expense ratio. SPYM 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.