SPDN vs SPY
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1X ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, SPDN or SPY?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.98, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | SPDN | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $232M | $814.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.32% | 1.01% |
| Holdings | 5 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -8.56% | +13.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.70% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -12.49% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -7.95% | +12.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -76.8% | -34.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,609 | $18,270Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 8, 2016 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 8, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.2 years).
SPDN 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 10.2 years both funds cover.
SPDN vs SPY Performance
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bear 1X ETF (SPDN) 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 SPDN returned -11.70% while SPY returned +19.97%. Year to date, SPDN is down 8.56% versus a gain of 13.34% for SPY.
Over three years, SPDN compounded at -12.49% per year against +21.20% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are -7.95% and +12.81% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +14.23% annualized vs -12.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.5% for SPDN. 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 -76.8% for SPDN and -34.1% 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 -0.98. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDN charges 0.48% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $48 vs $9 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPDN currently yields 3.32% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in SPDN and 504 in SPY, totalling 91.6% 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 2 positions we hold weights for in SPDN and 504 in SPY, against full books of 5 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDN 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, SPDN or SPY?
SPDN has an expense ratio of 0.48% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPDN or SPY?
Over the past year SPDN returned -11.70% vs +19.97% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), SPDN annualized -12.71% vs +14.23% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDN or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.5% for SPDN. Worst drawdown: SPDN -76.8% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both SPDN and SPY?
SPDN and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.98, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPDN or SPY?
SPDN yields 3.32% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPDN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than SPDN?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.98, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.