Here’s why the SPY ETF has shed $2o billion as VOO and SPYM rake $66b
The SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) ETF has seen over $20 billion in outflows this year, while the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) have collectively gained $66 billion. This rotation is primarily driven by the lower expense ratios of VOO (0.03%) and SPYM (0.02%) compared to SPY (0.09%), as all three ETFs track the S&P 500 with similar returns. Investors are opting for the lower-fee alternatives to maximize returns over time.
How this was made

The 30-second read
Why it matters
This trend could lead to a redistribution of assets among ETF providers, influencing liquidity and trading volumes.
Market read
The shift towards lower-fee ETFs reflects broader investor preferences for cost efficiency, potentially impacting traditional ETFs like SPY.
What to watch
Broader macroeconomic factors, such as interest rate changes and economic outlook, may have a more significant impact on ETF flows and market performance than fee considerations alone.
Background
The article highlights a significant shift in ETF investor behavior, favoring lower-cost S&P 500 ETFs over the traditional SPY fund.
Ticker impact
Primary focus of the article, significant impact on ETF flows and investor sentiment.
Potential slight decline in SPY's price due to outflows, but overall impact remains limited if inflows stabilize.
The outflows are significant but driven by fee considerations; market reaction depends on broader investor sentiment and fund flows.
Market effects
Potential reallocation of assets within the financial sector, especially among ETF providers and asset managers.
Limited; primarily US-focused ETF flows.
Moderate; US ETF trends can influence global investor behavior and fund flows.
Counterpoint
The outflows from SPY may be temporary, driven by recent fee changes or market volatility, and could reverse if market conditions improve.
Key entities
- ETFSPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
A widely traded ETF tracking the S&P 500, known for higher expense ratios.
- ETFVanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO)
A low-cost ETF tracking the S&P 500, gaining popularity due to its expense ratio of 0.03%.
- ETFState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM)
Another low-cost ETF tracking the S&P 500 with an expense ratio of 0.02%.
- AuthorCrispus Nyaga
Financial journalist reporting on ETF flows.



