SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • State Street • US Large-Cap Growth
Expense Ratio
0.04%
AUM
$25.0B
Dividend Yield
0.70%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF?
SPYG tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index, offering exposure to the growth-oriented half of the S&P 500 at an ultra-low expense ratio of just 0.04%. It selects stocks based on sales growth, earnings growth relative to price, and price momentum. For cost-conscious growth investors, SPYG delivers nearly identical exposure to pricier alternatives at a fraction of the cost.
SPYG is managed by State Street and has been available since 2000. With $25.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.04%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $4 per year in management fees.
SPYG at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% |
| Total Holdings | 230 |
| P/E Ratio | 33.5 |
| Beta | 1.12 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.70% |
| AUM | $25.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | State Street |
Top 10 Holdings in SPYG
SPYG holds 230 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple | AAPL | 13.00% |
| 2 | Microsoft | MSFT | 12.00% |
| 3 | NVIDIA | NVDA | 11.00% |
| 4 | Amazon | AMZN | 6.50% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms | META | 5.00% |
| 6 | Alphabet Class A | GOOGL | 4.00% |
| 7 | Alphabet Class C | GOOG | 3.50% |
| 8 | Tesla | TSLA | 3.20% |
| 9 | Broadcom | AVGO | 3.00% |
| 10 | Eli Lilly | LLY | 2.70% |
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SPYG Performance History
Here's how SPYG has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
3.50%
1 Year
28.00%
3 Year
11.50%
5 Year
17.50%
10 Year
15.50%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
SPYG scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 230 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy SPYG — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "SPYG" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into SPYG
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With SPYG's expense ratio of 0.04%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $344 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of SPYG
Pros
- ✓Expense ratio of just 0.04% makes it one of the cheapest growth ETFs in existence
- ✓S&P 500 growth methodology uses clear, transparent factor-based selection
- ✓Long track record since 2000 provides decades of performance data
- ✓Lower share price than IWF makes it accessible for smaller accounts
Cons
- ✗Extreme tech concentration with about half the fund in technology stocks
- ✗Top three holdings alone represent over 35% of the fund, creating single-stock risk
- ✗Growth style can dramatically underperform during value-led market rotations
SPYG vs Similar ETFs
See how SPYG stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SPYG a good ETF for beginners?▾
SPYG has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of SPYG?▾
SPYG has an expense ratio of 0.04%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $4 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in SPYG?▾
You can invest in SPYG with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does SPYG pay dividends?▾
Yes, SPYG pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 0.70%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in SPYG?▾
The top holdings in SPYG include Apple (13.00%), Microsoft (12.00%), NVIDIA (11.00%), and more. The fund holds 230 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.