SCO vs SPY
ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SCO or SPY?
Trading-Inverse Commodities against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | SCO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $714M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 5 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -74.58% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | -70.64% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -32.55% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -43.32% | +13.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 114.4% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $585 | $18,728Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Commodities | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 24, 2008 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (17.8 years).
SCO 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
SCO vs SPY Performance
ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) 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 SCO returned -70.64% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, SCO is down 74.58% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, SCO compounded at -32.55% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -43.32% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.51% annualized vs -20.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 114.4% compared with 14.9% 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 -0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SCO 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, SCO currently yields 0.00% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in SCO and 504 in SPY, totalling 34.3% and 99.9% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in SCO and 504 in SPY, against full books of 5 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SCO 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, SCO or SPY?
SCO 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, SCO or SPY?
Over the past year SCO returned -70.64% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), SCO annualized -20.27% vs +13.51% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SCO or SPY?
SCO has been the more volatile fund at 114.4% annualized versus 14.9% for SPY.
Should I hold both SCO and SPY?
SCO and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.22, 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, SCO or SPY?
SCO yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SCO?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.