SPY vs SSG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs ProShares UltraShort Semiconductors
Which is better, SPY or SSG?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Inverse Equity.
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 | SPY | SSG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $814.4B | $39M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 8.89% |
| Holdings | 505 | 11 |
| YTD Return | +13.78%Best | -57.82% |
| 1Y Return | +21.44%Best | -72.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38%Best | -72.52% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.80%Best | -65.40% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 97.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,262Best | $50 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 30, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 1, 2007 to Sep 3, 2026 (19.6 years).
SPY vs SSG 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 19.6 years both funds cover.
SPY vs SSG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and ProShares UltraShort Semiconductors (SSG) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SPY returned +21.44% while SSG returned -72.29%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.78% versus a loss of 57.82% for SSG.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.38% per year against -72.52% for SSG; over five years the annualized figures are +12.80% and -65.40% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +9.35% annualized vs -45.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 97.6% compared with 15.5% 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 -0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while SSG charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $95 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 8.89% for SSG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 1 in SSG, totalling 100.0% and 107.6% 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 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 1 in SSG, against full books of 505 and 11.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and SSG 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, SPY or SSG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while SSG charges 0.95%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or SSG?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.44% vs -72.29% for SSG, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SPY annualized +9.35% vs -45.70% for SSG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or SSG?
SSG has been the more volatile fund at 97.6% annualized versus 15.5% for SPY.
Should I hold both SPY and SSG?
SPY and SSG have a monthly-return correlation of -0.35, 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, SPY or SSG?
SPY yields 1.01% while SSG yields 8.89%, so SSG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SSG better than SPY?
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.