LTL vs SPY
ProShares Ultra Communication Services vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, LTL or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y and 5Y, SPY over 1Y and 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 | LTL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 28 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -7.61% | +11.97%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.67% | +16.40%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.60%Best | +21.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.86%Best | +12.88% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 34.1% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.7% | -52.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,794Best | $18,327 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2008 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 8, 2008 to Sep 14, 2026 (18.4 years).
LTL 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 18.4 years both funds cover.
LTL vs SPY Performance
ProShares Ultra Communication Services (LTL) is an ETF from ProShares and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year LTL returned -11.67% while SPY returned +16.40%. Year to date, LTL is down 7.61% versus a gain of 11.97% for SPY.
Over three years, LTL compounded at +32.60% per year against +21.10% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +16.86% and +12.88% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +10.20% annualized vs +6.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.1% compared with 15.7% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -80.7% for LTL and -52.4% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LTL charges 0.95% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $9 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LTL currently yields 1.01% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 9.5% of SPY's money is in holdings LTL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for LTL, our book for it covers 60.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPY and LTL share little of their money.
24 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in LTL and 504 in SPY, against full books of 28 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LTL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 10.22% | 1.93% | 8.29% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.27% | 2.99% | 3.28% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 5.00% | 2.39% | 2.61% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.96% | 0.52% | 2.44% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 3.20% | 0.27% | 2.93% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 3.06% | 0.32% | 2.74% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 2.94% | 0.28% | 2.66% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 2.96% | 0.14% | 2.82% |
| WBDWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc | 2.83% | 0.11% | 2.72% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 2.79% | 0.13% | 2.66% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LTL 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, LTL or SPY?
LTL has an expense ratio of 0.95% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LTL or SPY?
Over the past year LTL returned -11.67% vs +16.40% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), LTL annualized +6.08% vs +10.20% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LTL or SPY?
LTL has been the more volatile fund at 34.1% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: LTL -80.7% vs SPY -52.4%.
Should I hold both LTL and SPY?
LTL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between LTL and SPY?
At least 9.5% of SPY's money is in holdings LTL also owns. Our book for LTL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in LTL and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, LTL or SPY?
LTL yields 1.01% while SPY yields 0.98%, so LTL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than LTL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y and 5Y, SPY over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.