SP500 SMI and Bitcoin Comparison: Which Investment to Choose?

Comparison of S&P 500, SMI, and Bitcoin with illustrated characters and performance graphs

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Caution ⚠️ This article reflects a personal opinion and does not constitute investment advice. Investing carries a risk of losing money. Past performance is no guarantee of future results!

The S&P 500, the SMI, and Bitcoin are three very different investments. Yet, they are often compared by investors looking to grow their money over the long term.

  • Which one offers the best potential return?
  • Which one is the most stable?
  • Who is best suited to a passive strategy?
  • Should we favor American stocks, large Swiss companies, or Bitcoin?

In this article, we will compare these three investments according to several criteria, for example:

  • their operation
  • their level of diversification
  • their risk and volatility
  • their past performances
  • the costs
  • their compatibility with a passive or active strategy.

⚠️ Warning : This article presents a general analysis and a personal opinion. It does not constitute investment advice. Investing involves the risk of loss, and past performance is never indicative of future results.

Before comparing their performance, it is important to understand what each investment represents.

THE S&P 500* is an American stock market index. It comprises approximately 500 large companies listed in the United States. It represents a significant portion of the American stock market capitalization (approximately 80%).

It includes companies such as Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon and Coca-Cola.

The S&P 500 therefore does not correspond to a single company. It is an index that measures the performance of a large number of American stocks.

To invest in the S&P 500, individuals generally use a AND F, that is, a publicly traded fund that seeks to replicate the performance of the index.

One of the main advantages of the S&P 500 is its diversification : instead of depending on a single company, the investor is exposed to several hundred companies active in different sectors.

THE SMI, or Swiss Market Index, is one of the main Swiss stock market indices.

It brings together the main large companies listed in Switzerland. These include Nestlé, Roche, Novartis, UBS and Zurich Insurance.

The SMI therefore offers exposure to the Swiss market. However, it is much more concentrated than the S&P 500: It includes approximately 20 Swiss companies..

This concentration means that the evolution of the SMI depends heavily on the performance of its largest companies, particularly in the health and consumer sectors.

As with the S&P 500, it is generally possible to invest in the SMI using an ETF.

THE Bitcoin is a digital cryptocurrency that operates on a decentralized network called blockchain.

Unlike the S&P 500 and the SMI, Bitcoin does not represent a portfolio of companies. It does not entitle the holder to a share of a company's profits and does not pay dividends.

The price of bitcoin depends primarily on supply and demand in the market.

It is also influenced by many factors. For example: investor adoption, regulations, economic conditions, technological developments, and market sentiment.

Bitcoin is known for its significant upside potential, but also for its sharp price fluctuations.

A stock market index is a tool that measures the evolution of a group of actions according to specific rules.

For example, the S&P 500 measures the performance of approximately 500 large American companies. If the overall value of these companies increases, the index tends to rise. If their value decreases, the index falls.

The SMI operates on the same principle, but with a much more limited number of Swiss companies.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, is an individual digital asset. Buying Bitcoin means directly gaining exposure to the price fluctuations of a single cryptocurrency.

The difference is therefore significant:

S&P 500 and SMIBitcoin
Indices composed of several companiesunique digital asset
Exposure to companies that generate revenue and profitsDoes not represent an equity stake in a company
Possibility of receiving dividends via certain ETFsNo dividends
Diversification across multiple companiesConcentration on a single asset

This distinction is essential.

A hint is an indicator. It measures the performance of a group of stocks, but it is not possible to buy it directly.

A AND F, On the other hand, it is a financial product traded on a stock exchange. It can be bought and sold like a share.

For example, an S&P 500 ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the S&P 500. By buying a single share of this ETF, the investor can gain exposure to several hundred US companies.

There are also ETFs that track the SMI.

ETFs therefore allow you to invest simply in an index, often with relatively low fees and without having to buy each stock separately.

The word "security" can be misleading in investing. None of these investments are guaranteed, and their value can decrease.

It is therefore preferable to evaluate several elements:

  • diversification
  • concentration
  • volatility
  • the risk of lasting loss
  • the robustness of the market concerned

Note that the following ratings are subjective and represent only a personal opinion.

The S&P 500 benefits from significant diversification as it includes approximately 500 large American companies.

It includes many American companies that market products worldwide. The index is also regularly rebalanced: companies that no longer meet the criteria are replaced.

This diversification reduces the risk associated with the bankruptcy or poor performance of a single company.

However, the S&P 500 remains exposed to the US market. It can experience periods of sharp declines, particularly during recessions or financial crises.

The S&P 500 is therefore diversified, but it is not without risk.

The SMI is based on large, generally well-established Swiss companies.

However, the index is much more concentrated than the S&P 500. It comprises about 20 companies, and the largest of them make up a significant portion of the index.

The Swiss market is also less diversified in terms of sectors. The health, consumer, and financial sectors occupy a significant place within it.

The SMI can therefore be considered relatively solid thanks to the quality and stability of several of its large companies, but its concentration represents an additional risk.

Bitcoin is a global, highly liquid, and widely known asset. It has a decentralized network and is not directly controlled by any company or government.

However, the price of bitcoin depends largely on the trust placed in it.

Its price can fluctuate dramatically over short periods, as even the smallest event causes it to change. Indeed, Bitcoin has already experienced several significant declines throughout its history.

Investing solely in Bitcoin also means concentrating your investment on a single, highly volatile asset.

The risk is therefore not limited to a possible total loss. It also includes the possibility of experiencing significant declines, sometimes lasting for several months or even years.

Past performance is often one of the first criteria analyzed by investors. However, caution is advised: Historical results do not allow us to predict future performance.

In the period analyzed in the initial version of this article (February 2015 – February 2025), Bitcoin has performed significantly better than the S&P 500 and the SMI.

For your information, the results are:

Period analyzedBitcoin
(red)
S&P 500
(blue)
SMI
(black)
Approximately 3 years
(2022-2025)
+132 %+38 %+5 %
Approximately 5 years
(2022-2025)
+850 %+80 %+15 %
  1. Bitcoin (132%)
  2. SP500 (38%)
  3. SMI (5%)
  1. Bitcoin (850%)
  2. SP500 (80%)
  3. SMI (15%)

However, if I change the dates from July 2021 to July 2026, we conclude that the results are very different for Bitcoin:

  1. SP500 (67%)
  2. Bitcoin (59%)
  3. SMI (16%)

We see that Bitcoin is a very fluctuating asset, capable of gaining or losing a lot of value in a short period of time.

The S&P 500 showed more regular and fairly significant progress, while the SMI experienced positive but more moderate growth.

There volatility measures the magnitude and frequency of price variations.

A highly volatile investment can experience sharp rises, but also sharp falls.

Bitcoin is generally much more volatile than major stock market indices. The S&P 500 and the SMI have also experienced periods of decline, but their fluctuations were more limited over the short periods mentioned.

This does not mean that stock market indices will not undergo sharp corrections. 
For example, during major crises, stock markets can also lose several tens of percent

The main difference is that sharp fluctuations are historically more frequent and often larger for Bitcoin.

Several factors can explain this volatility.

  1. Bitcoin is a single asset. It does not offer the diversification of an ETF that holds several hundred companies.
  2. Its price depends primarily on supply and demand. It is not based on profits, revenues, or dividends like a publicly traded company.
  3. The Bitcoin market is heavily influenced by investor expectations, market sentiment, regulatory developments, and changes in monetary policy.
  4. The cryptocurrency market is still relatively young compared to traditional stock markets.

Note that the S&P 500 contains many more companies than the SMI.

The SMI is particularly concentrated: its main holdings represent a significant portion of the index. Indeed, I calculated and concluded that the 5 main stocks represent approximately 65% of the index.

The S&P 500 is more diversified, containing approximately 500 stocks, with the top 5 holdings representing about 301 of the index. In my opinion, investing in an S&P 500 ETF is much more reassuring and diversified compared to an SMI ETF.

The comparison can be summarized as follows:

InvestApproximate number of assetsLevel of diversification
Bitcoin1 activeVery weak
SMIApproximately 20 companiesModerate but concentrated
S&P 500Approximately 500 companiesHigh, but not total

Dividends represent a portion of the profits that a company decides to pay to its shareholders.

Bitcoin does not pay dividends. Its return depends solely on its price fluctuations.

Companies in the S&P 500 and SMI may pay dividends. Depending on the ETF chosen, these dividends may be distributed to the investor or automatically reinvested.

In the data used in the initial version of this article, the average dividend yields were approximately as follows:

InvestIndicative annual yield
Bitcoin0 %
S&P 500Approximately 1.4 %
SMIApproximately 2.5 %

The SMI has historically offered a higher dividend yield than the S&P 500.

However, a dividend is not a free return. When a company pays a dividend, the company's value is reduced by a corresponding amount.

It is therefore preferable to analyze the total yield, that is, the price change plus dividends.

Fees can have a significant impact on long-term performance.

Holding Bitcoin directly generally does not generate annual management fees.

However, other fees may apply. We will analyze this in the next chapter.

ETFs that track the S&P 500 are often offered with very low annual fees.

Some ETFs display a TER, or Total Expense Ratio, less than 0.05 % per year.

ETFs that track the SMI may have higher fees than some S&P 500 ETFs.

Overall, the requested TER is approximately 0.15%.

This is mainly due to the smaller size of the market and the smaller number of competing products.

InvestTER train requested (Approximately)
Bitcoin0 %
S&P 5000.05 %
SMI0.15 %

To buy an ETF or Bitcoin, you generally need to use a broker or investment platform.

Costs can vary considerably depending on:

  • the platform
  • the amount invested
  • the currency used
  • the type of order
  • the frequency of transactions

It is difficult to say that one investment always has lower purchase fees than another, as these fees depend primarily on the brokerage account chosen by the investor.

Investors do not all have the same objectives.

Some wish to invest regularly over several decades. Others seek to profit from price fluctuations over shorter periods.

An active investor typically seeks to make buy and sell decisions based on market conditions.

He may try to buy an asset that he considers undervalued and resell it when he believes its price has become high.

For example, if a company's stock falls sharply, an active investor may decide to buy it in anticipation of a rebound.

This strategy often requires:

  • time
  • financial knowledge
  • a regular analysis
  • good risk management
  • strong emotional discipline

Active investing can allow you to take advantage of certain opportunities, but it also carries a significant risk of error.

Note that it is difficult to regularly predict the best times to buy and sell.

Moreover, the SPIVA study showed that only 10% of active investors outperform the S&P 500 over 15 years.

Passive investors generally seek to invest for the long term without trying to predict daily market movements.

For example, he can regularly buy a diversified ETF and keep his investments for several years.

Its objective is to take advantage of the potential growth of companies and the effect of compound interest over a long period (generally, more than 10 years).

This strategy is generally based on:

  • significant diversification
  • low fees
  • regular investments
  • a long-term horizon

We conclude that:

InvestAsset or liability
Bitcoinactive
S&P 500passive
SMIpassive
CriteriaBitcoinS&P 500SMI
Investment typeCryptocurrencyUS stock market indexSwiss stock market index
Approximate number of assets1Approximately 500 companiesApproximately 20 companies
DiversificationWeakHighModerate
Main areaGlobalUNITED STATESSwiss
Historical volatilityVery highModerateVery Moderate
DividendsNoneYes, approximately 1.4% per yearYes, approximately 2.5% per year
Management feesNoneapproximately 0.05%approximately 0.15%
Potential yieldHigh, but with large dropsHistorically solid, rather highHistorically more moderate
Suitable for a passive strategyNot suitableAdaptedAdapted
Suitable for active tradingAdaptedNot suitablepoorly adapted

In my opinion, The S&P 500 is the most balanced choice among these three investments for a passive and potentially profitable long-term strategy.

It offers:

  • an exposure to several hundred large companies
  • significant diversification
  • fees are often low via certain ETFs
  • a good track record of long-term growth
  • volatility generally lower than that of Bitcoin

The SMI can also be of interest, particularly for investors who wish to increase their exposure to large Swiss companies.

Bitcoin has high return potential, but it also comes with significant volatility and a higher level of uncertainty. In my opinion, I would not put more than 3% of my total assets into a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.

Personally, I consider the following ranking for a passive strategy:

  1. S&P 500 : the best balance between diversification, growth potential and simplicity
  2. SMI : an interesting option for exposure to large Swiss companies, but more concentrated, ETF rather complementary to the portfolio.
  3. Bitcoin : a speculative and volatile asset. I will only hold a very small percentage in the portfolio.

This doesn't mean Bitcoin is a bad investment or that the S&P 500 is safe. It simply indicates that every investment has advantages and risks, and that a balanced portfolio is important for mitigating those risks.

InvestPercentage I would hold in my portfolio
BitcoinMaximum 3%
S&P 500Up to 80%
SMIMaximum 15%

Conclusion

The S&P 500, the SMI and Bitcoin do not meet the same need.

The S&P 500 offers diversified exposure to large US companies and can be an interesting basis for a long-term strategy.

The SMI allows investment in major Swiss companies, but it's more concentrated. It's more of a complementary investment to your stock market portfolio. Personally, I wouldn't invest more than 15% of my portfolio.

Bitcoin has significant potential, but also much greater volatility and higher uncertainty. In my opinion, I wouldn't invest more than 3% of my portfolio.

FAQ: S&P 500, SMI or Bitcoin

The choice depends mainly on your investment horizon, your risk tolerance, and your financial goals.

In my opinion, the S&P 500 It offers the best balance for long-term passive investing. It allows indirect investment in approximately 500 large US companies, with significant diversification and often low fees thanks to ETFs.

THE SMI It may be interesting to strengthen one's exposure to large Swiss companies, but it is more concentrated as it includes approximately 20 companies.

THE Bitcoin It has high return potential, but it is much more volatile and speculative. It can potentially represent a small part of a diversified portfolio, but it carries a higher risk.

⚠️ This is not investment advice. The choice depends on each investor's financial situation and objectives.

The S&P 500 is generally considered less risky and less volatile than Bitcoin in the long term.

In reality, the S&P 500 comprises approximately 500 large American companies. This diversification reduces the risk associated with the poor performance or bankruptcy of a single company.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, is a unique asset. Its price can rise or fall sharply in a short period of time. It has already experienced several significant declines throughout its history.

However, the S&P 500 is not a guaranteed investment. It can also experience sharp declines during economic or financial crises.

Bitcoin has achieved very high historical performance over certain periods. However, its return is highly dependent on the dates chosen.

For example, between February 2020 and February 2025, Bitcoin significantly outperformed the S&P 500 in the data presented in this article. However, when the analysis period changes, the results can be very different.

Bitcoin is therefore capable of generating very high returns, but it can also suffer much steeper declines than the S&P 500.

It is best to compare investments over several periods and also analyze their volatility, risk level and diversification.

Historically, the S&P 500 has often outperformed the SMI over certain long periods. However, performance varies depending on the period analyzed.

The S&P 500 benefits from exposure to approximately 500 large US companies, particularly in the technology, healthcare, finance, and consumer sectors.

The SMI is more concentrated on a limited number of large Swiss companies. It also has significant exposure to the healthcare, consumer goods, and finance sectors.

The SMI has historically offered a higher dividend yield, while the S&P 500 has often benefited from greater growth.

Past performance, however, does not guarantee future returns.

Bitcoin is generally more volatile for several reasons.

Firstly, Bitcoin is a single asset, while the S&P 500 comprises approximately 500 companies. The S&P 500 therefore benefits from much greater diversification.

Secondly, the price of Bitcoin depends primarily on supply and demand. It is heavily influenced by investor sentiment, cryptocurrency adoption, regulation, and economic conditions.

Finally, the Bitcoin market is more recent and can react strongly to economic, political or regulatory events.

This volatility can lead to significant gains, but also significant losses.

No, it is not possible to buy the S&P 500 directly, as it is a stock market index.

To invest in the S&P 500, individuals generally use a S&P 500 ETF. In truth, this ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the index and provides exposure to several hundred large American companies.

An ETF can be bought and sold on the stock exchange, just like a stock.

In my opinion, an S&P 500 ETF with very low TERs is one of the best investments for passive investors over the long term. However, every investment carries a risk of losing money.

The S&P 500 is a stock market index. It measures the evolution of a group of approximately 500 large American companies.

An S&P 500 ETF is a exchange-traded fund which seeks to replicate the performance of this index.

The index therefore serves as a reference, while the ETF is the financial product used to invest.

Yes. There are ETFs that track the performance of the SMI.

By purchasing a share of an SMI ETF, the investor can gain exposure to the main companies listed in Switzerland, without having to buy each share individually.

Fees, replication method, currency and dividend distribution policy may vary depending on the ETF chosen.

The SMI offers a certain diversification as it brings together around 20 large Swiss companies.

However, it is much more concentrated than the S&P 500. The main companies in the SMI make up a significant portion of the index.

The SMI is also concentrated in certain sectors, including health, consumption and finance.

It can therefore be interesting as a complement to a portfolio, but it is generally less diversified than a global index or an index composed of several hundred companies.

No. Bitcoin does not pay dividends.

A company can distribute a portion of its profits to its shareholders in the form of dividends. Bitcoin does not represent equity in a company and therefore does not generate dividends.

In conclusion, the return on an investment in Bitcoin depends primarily on the evolution of its price.

Companies that make up the S&P 500 can pay dividends.

However, how it works depends on the ETF chosen. An ETF can:

  • distribute dividends directly to the investor; ;
  • automatically reinvest dividends in the fund.

The dividend yield of the S&P 500 varies over time and depends on the companies that make up the index.

Historically, the SMI has often shown a higher dividend yield than the S&P 500.

Note that in the data used in this article, the indicative annual yield was approximately:

  • 2.5 % for the SMI ;
  • 1.4 % for the S&P 500 ;
  • 0 % for Bitcoin.

These figures may change over time. It is also important to analyze the total return, which includes price change and dividends.

The management fees for an S&P 500 ETF are generally low.

Some ETFs display a TER, or Total Expense Ratio, less than 0.05 % per year. The exact level, however, depends on the fund chosen.

Other potential costs must also be taken into account:

  • brokerage fees; ;
  • exchange fees; ;
  • spread between the purchase price and the selling price; ;
  • possible childcare fees.

The cost of buying Bitcoin depends on the platform used.

The fees may include:

  • transaction fees; ;
  • a spread between the purchase price and the selling price; ;
  • deposit or withdrawal fees; ;
  • transfer fees on the Bitcoin network; ;
  • potential storage costs.

In truth, directly holding Bitcoin generally does not generate annual management fees; however, transaction fees may be higher than those of some ETFs.

Bitcoin can be held for the long term, but it remains a very volatile and uncertain asset.

Some investors regularly buy Bitcoin and hold it for several years. This strategy can be considered a passive approach.

However, Bitcoin has already experienced significant declines. Therefore, an investor must be able to accept substantial fluctuations and the risk of losing a significant portion of their investment.

The S&P 500 is often used in passive investment strategies.

Thanks to an S&P 500 ETF, it is possible to invest in several hundred large American companies with a single financial product.

A passive strategy may consist of investing regularly over the long term without trying to predict daily market fluctuations.

Indeed, this approach is generally based on diversification, low fees, a long investment horizon and good discipline.

For a Swiss investor, the choice depends in particular on the desired diversification.

The S&P 500 allows investment in many large American companies and offers greater diversification than the SMI.

The SMI allows for increased exposure to major Swiss companies. It may be attractive to investors who wish to hold more assets linked to the Swiss market.

However, investing solely in the SMI can create a significant concentration on Switzerland and a few large companies.

It is therefore possible to consider the SMI as a complementary investment rather than as the sole component of a portfolio.

Yes. It is possible to combine these three investments in the same portfolio.

The S&P 500 can provide diversified exposure to large American companies.

The SMI can complement this exhibition with Swiss companies.

Bitcoin may eventually represent a small, more speculative part of the portfolio.

However, the allocation depends on the level of risk accepted, the investment horizon and personal objectives.

There is no universal percentage.

In my personal opinion, Bitcoin should represent a limited portion of a portfolio due to its high volatility. In my example, I would not exceed 3 % of my invested assets in Bitcoin.

This allocation is subjective and does not constitute a financial recommendation.

Before investing, it is important to assess one's ability to withstand a sharp decline without having to sell in haste.

For a beginner who wants to invest for the long term, a diversified ETF may be easier to understand and manage than an investment focused solely on Bitcoin.

The S&P 500 offers exposure to several hundred US companies and generally has lower volatility than Bitcoin.

The SMI can also be interesting, but it is more concentrated.

Bitcoin is more complex and can experience very strong fluctuations. It is therefore important to understand the risks before investing.

Yes. The S&P 500 can lose value and experience significant periods of decline.

Economic crises, recessions, rising interest rates, or geopolitical events can lead to a decline in stock markets.

An investment in the S&P 500 is therefore not guaranteed. It's important to note that a long-term strategy doesn't eliminate risk, but it generally allows for a better response to temporary fluctuations.

A total loss is theoretically possible, although not the most likely scenario.

Bitcoin, however, can lose a significant portion of its value. It has already experienced several very large declines throughout its history.

There are also risks associated with exchange platforms, storage errors, fraud, and the loss of private keys.

Therefore, it is important not to invest an amount that one cannot afford to lose.

There is no universal answer.

In my opinion, the S&P 500 offers the best compromise between diversification, growth potential, simplicity and volatility for a long-term passive strategy.

The SMI can complement a portfolio thanks to its exposure to large Swiss companies, but it is more concentrated.

Bitcoin has the potential for high returns, but its level of risk and volatility are also much higher.

In reality, the best investment therefore depends on each investor's risk profile, objectives and time horizon.

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