NUGO vs SPY
Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, NUGO or SPY?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. NUGO led over 3Y, SPY over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.9%.
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 | NUGO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 46 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +6.99% | +11.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.25% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.85%Best | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.15% | +12.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.0% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,742 | $18,205Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.9% | 38.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 27, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2021 to Sep 10, 2026 (5 years).
NUGO 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 5 years both funds cover.
NUGO vs SPY Performance
Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) is an ETF from Nuveen and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year NUGO returned +9.25% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, NUGO is up 6.99% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Over three years, NUGO compounded at +21.85% per year against +20.62% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.15% and +12.73% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% 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 -38.0% for NUGO and -24.5% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGO charges 0.50% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $9 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGO currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
98.0% of NUGO's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 48.5% of SPY's money is in holdings NUGO also owns.
Most of NUGO is already inside SPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
42 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUGO and 504 in SPY, against full books of 46 and 505.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 45 and 504 positions we hold weights for.
SPY holds 452 positions NUGO does not, 51.0% of the fund.
Largest: GOOG 2.67%, JPM 1.44%, BRK.B 1.42%, XOM 0.96%, V 0.92%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NUGO | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 15.20% | 7.71% | 7.49% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 10.71% | 3.33% | 7.38% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.54% | 6.83% | 0.29% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 7.14% | 5.50% | 1.64% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.07% | 2.97% | 4.10% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.13% | 4.08% | 1.95% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 3.93% | 1.33% | 2.60% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.06% | 0.69% | 2.37% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 2.34% | 1.27% | 1.07% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.02% | 1.51% | 0.51% |
98.0% of NUGO is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NUGO or SPY?
NUGO has an expense ratio of 0.50% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGO or SPY?
Over the past year NUGO returned +9.25% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGO or SPY?
NUGO has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: NUGO -38.0% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both NUGO and SPY?
NUGO and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between NUGO and SPY?
98.0% of NUGO's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 48.5% of SPY's is in holdings NUGO also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUGO and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUGO or SPY?
NUGO yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than NUGO?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. NUGO led over 3Y, SPY over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. SPY is less concentrated, with 38.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.