BTFL vs SPY
Defiance Daily Target 2X Long BITF ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BTFL or SPY?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. BTFL led over the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BTFL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.31% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 6 | 505 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3486232.1% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 11.8 years | $617,822Best | $38,897 |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 29, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 146 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BTFL has data through Apr 24, 2026 and SPY through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 11.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2014 to Apr 24, 2026 (11.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BTFL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 3486232.1% compared with 15.0% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BTFL charges 1.31% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $131 vs $9 annually, a gap of $122 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BTFL currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in BTFL and 504 in SPY, totalling 17.2% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 214 days apart, BTFL as of Jan 30, 2026 and SPY as of Sep 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in BTFL and 504 in SPY, against full books of 6 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BTFL and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BTFL or SPY?
BTFL has an expense ratio of 1.31% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $122 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BTFL or SPY?
BTFL has been the more volatile fund at 3486232.1% annualized versus 15.0% for SPY.
Should I hold both BTFL and SPY?
BTFL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.02, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BTFL or SPY?
BTFL yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BTFL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. BTFL led over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.