MQAE vs STW - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing MQAE and STW. MQAE has the lower management fee at 0.03% a year, STW has the higher 1 year return at 2.6% a year, and STW offers the higher at 3.85%.

Lower fee

MQAE 0.03% p.a.

Higher 1 year return

STW 2.6% p.a.

Higher yield

STW 3.85%

Larger fund

STW $6.6bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	MQAE Macquarie Core Australian Equity Active ETF	STW State Street SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF
Snapshot
Provider	—	State Street
Tracks index	S&P/ASX 200 Index	S&P/ASX 200 Index
Categories	AU, Large-Cap	AU, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since	2023 (3 yrs)	2001 (25 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$1.3bn	$6.6bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.03%	0.05%
Dividend yield	2.59%	3.85%
Franking	78%	80%
Turnover	55%	3%
Tax drag	1.56%	0.41%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	0.9% net	2.6% net
3-year return	—	11.4% net
5-year return	—	7.6% net
10-year return	—	8.9% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	—	10.6%
Volatility (5y)	—	12.4%
Volatility (10y)	—	13.3%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	—	0.68
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	0.38
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	0.54
Bid/ask spread	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

MQAE Macquarie Core Australian Equity Active ETF

Low-cost: a 0.03% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

High portfolio turnover (55% a year) means frequent trading that realises capital gains, adding tax drag — less efficient than a low-turnover index fund.

Full MQAE analysis →

STW State Street SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF

Low-cost: a 0.05% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 3.85% income yield.

Cheaper alternatives exist: A300, MQAE, and A200.

Full STW analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between MQAE vs STW?

MQAE and STW are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. MQAE carries the lower management fee (0.03%). Over 1 year, STW has delivered the higher total return (2.6% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - MQAE vs STW?

MQAE has the lower management fee at 0.03% a year, versus STW 0.05%.

Which has performed higher - MQAE vs STW?

Over the past 1 year, STW has delivered the higher total return at 2.6% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

STW pays the higher at 3.85%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

STW is the larger fund by assets ($6.6bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

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General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.