SPUU vs VYM
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPUU or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SPUU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.4%.
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 | SPUU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $284M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.28% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 510 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +20.71%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +29.02%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +35.53%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.83%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.3% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,713Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 28, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 28, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.3 years).
SPUU vs VYM 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 12.3 years both funds cover.
SPUU vs VYM Performance
Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPUU returned +29.02% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, SPUU is up 20.71% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, SPUU compounded at +35.53% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +17.83% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SPUU has the edge at +18.45% annualized vs +9.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPUU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.3% compared with 13.6% for VYM. 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 -59.4% for SPUU and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPUU charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPUU currently yields 1.28% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.2% of SPUU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 88.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SPUU also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside SPUU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
244 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in SPUU and 603 in VYM, against full books of 510 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 325 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SPUU (9.0% of the fund), and 256 for SPUU that do not appear in VYM (67.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPUU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.66% | 7.29% | 4.63% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.28% | 3.38% | 2.10% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 0.82% | 2.54% | 1.72% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.86% | 2.36% | 1.50% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.65% | 1.93% | 1.28% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.54% | 2.01% | 1.47% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.58% | 1.85% | 1.27% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.55% | 1.56% | 1.01% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.50% | 1.56% | 1.06% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.47% | 1.46% | 0.99% |
88.6% of VYM is already inside SPUU.
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, SPUU or VYM?
SPUU has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPUU or VYM?
Over the past year SPUU returned +29.02% vs +17.57% for VYM, so SPUU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), SPUU annualized +18.45% vs +9.17% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPUU or VYM?
SPUU has been the more volatile fund at 30.3% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SPUU -59.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPUU and VYM?
SPUU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 SPUU and VYM?
88.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SPUU also owns. 88.6% of VYM's is in holdings SPUU also owns. They hold 244 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in SPUU and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPUU or VYM?
SPUU yields 1.28% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPUU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SPUU led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.