NOWL vs SPY
GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | NOWL | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $234M | $821.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 2 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | -49.41% | +13.17% | |
| 1Y Return | -67.99% | +21.53% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.06% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.35% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 121.4% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -86.6% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | GraniteShares | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Alternative | Equity | |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
NOWL vs SPY Performance
GraniteShares 2x Long NOW Daily ETF (NOWL) is a ETF from GraniteShares and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year NOWL returned -67.99% while SPY returned +21.53%. Year to date, NOWL is down 49.41% versus a gain of 13.17% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NOWL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 121.4% compared with 15.3% 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 -86.6% for NOWL and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.19. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NOWL charges 1.50% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $9 annually, a gap of $141 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NOWL currently yields 0.00% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
NOWL and SPY share 1 holdings out of 504 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.2% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NOWL | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOW | 66.67% | 0.18% | 66.49% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NOWL or SPY?
NOWL has an expense ratio of 1.50% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $141 per year of difference.
Which performed better, NOWL or SPY?
Over the past year NOWL returned -67.99% vs +21.53% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), NOWL annualized -69.97% vs +8.82% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, NOWL or SPY?
NOWL has been the more volatile fund at 121.4% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: NOWL -86.6% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both NOWL and SPY?
NOWL and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.19, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between NOWL and SPY?
NOWL and SPY share 1 common holdings with a 0.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 504 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, NOWL or SPY?
NOWL yields 0.00% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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