JNUG vs SPY
Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, JNUG or SPY?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. JNUG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY 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 | JNUG | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.03% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $492M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 7 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -10.57% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +40.63%Best | +17.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +87.05%Best | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +26.00%Best | +12.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 112.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $31,758Best | $18,205 |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2013 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2013 to Sep 10, 2026 (12.9 years).
JNUG vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 12.9 years both funds cover.
JNUG vs SPY Performance
Direxion Daily Junior Gold Miners Index Bull 2X ETF (JNUG) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year JNUG returned +40.63% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, JNUG is down 10.57% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, JNUG compounded at +87.05% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +26.00% and +12.73% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.02% annualized vs -33.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JNUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 112.6% compared with 14.5% 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 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JNUG charges 1.03% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $103 vs $9 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JNUG currently yields 1.51% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in JNUG and 504 in SPY, totalling 115.4% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 3 positions we hold weights for in JNUG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 7 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JNUG 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, JNUG or SPY?
JNUG has an expense ratio of 1.03% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JNUG or SPY?
Over the past year JNUG returned +40.63% vs +17.48% for SPY, so JNUG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), JNUG annualized -33.70% vs +13.02% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JNUG or SPY?
JNUG has been the more volatile fund at 112.6% annualized versus 14.5% for SPY.
Should I hold both JNUG and SPY?
JNUG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, 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, JNUG or SPY?
JNUG yields 1.51% while SPY yields 0.98%, so JNUG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than JNUG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. JNUG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.