SPY vs XLK: Performance, Holdings, Fees & Risk
SPY and XLK are ETFs, but they can differ materially in exposure, yield, fees and risk. SPY is SPY ETF, while XLK is XLK ETF.
| Metric | SPY | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| 5Y annualized returnPrice return, distributions excluded | +11.3% | +19% |
| Risk | ||
| Max drawdown (5Y)Price return, distributions excluded | -25.4% | -34% |
AlgovestIQ AIQ Comparison
SPY vs XLK
SPY and XLK are effectively level
SPY and XLK are effectively level on the AIQ Score; the factor table below shows where each one holds its advantage.
The Algovestiq AIQ Score does not currently separate SPY and XLK as of the latest close. Both names are scored on the same 0–100 scale across Quality, Value, Momentum and Risk Resilience, and the factor table below shows where each one holds its advantage.
Compare SPY and XLK across performance, expense ratio, dividend yield, drawdown, volatility and the Algovestiq AIQ Score.
Performance over time
Price return from daily closes; distributions are not included.
Price return comparison
Growth of $10,000, price only
Split-adjusted closes only. Distributions are excluded, which understates the return of any fund or stock that pays them.
Compare SPY and XLK against another ticker
Open a multi-ticker workspace without changing this focused pair page.
SPY vs XLK: five-year payout growth
XLK grew its split-adjusted payout faster over 2020-2025 — 5.55% a year against SPY's 5.05%. SPY never reduced its annual distribution in the window; XLK did in 1 year.
| Dividend metric | SPY | XLK |
|---|---|---|
| 5Y payout CAGR | 5.05% | 5.55% |
| 2020 annual payout | $5.691 | $0.599 |
| 2025 annual payout | $7.281 | $0.784 |
| Calendar-year declines | 0 | 1 |
| Peer rank | #95 of 138 | #89 of 138 |
Split-adjusted annual distributions, 2020–2025. Research as of Sep 19, 2026. Yield and expense ratio above are current values, not part of this window.
AIQ Agreement Matrix
How each independent group of evidence reads the pair.
| Evidence group | Favors | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| AIQ Score | Not covered | Not covered |
| Fundamentals | Not covered | Not covered |
| Valuation | Not covered | Not covered |
| Technicals | Not covered | Not covered |
| Risk Resilience | Not covered | Not covered |
| Analyst expectations | Not covered | Not covered |
AIQ Decision Stability
The two are close enough that your objective, not the score, should decide.
The full evidence
Every number behind the verdict. The leader is called above each group so you are not left to solve it from the table.
Straight answers
Short answers to the questions fund investors ask about this pair, from the figures above.
Which ETF has had the smaller drawdown?
SPY fell less from peak to trough over the past five years: -25.4% against -34% for XLK.
Compare SPY and XLK with others
Continue your research
This page answers which of the two. These answer the questions on either side of it.
How this comparison is scored
The Algovestiq AIQ Score composites four factors — Quality, Value, Momentum and Risk, each carrying a fixed weight. Sentiment is reported separately as SentimentPulse and is not folded into the composite. Scores refresh every trading day, and this page regenerates from the latest snapshot rather than being written once.
The verdict names a leader, states how broadly six independent evidence groups agree, and rates how durable that conclusion is given the score gap, its recent trajectory and the current signal state on both names.
How to use side-by-side comparison →This comparison is informational and educational, not investment advice. AIQ scores update daily; re-check after earnings, guidance or macro data that materially changes either name’s factor profile.