SPY vs TARK
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF
Which is better, SPY or TARK?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window, TARK over 3Y.
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 | TARK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 1.48% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $20M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 28.11% |
| Holdings | 505 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +12.09%Best | +8.59% |
| 1Y Return | +16.29%Best | -9.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20% | +30.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 85.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8%Best | -77.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $19,529Best | $8,849 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Tradr ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Apr 28, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.4 years).
SPY vs TARK 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
SPY vs TARK Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF (TARK) is an ETF from Tradr ETFs. Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% while TARK returned -9.82%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.09% versus a gain of 8.59% for TARK.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.20% per year against +30.73% for TARK. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +16.43% annualized vs -2.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TARK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 85.1% compared with 15.3% 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 -18.8% for SPY and -77.8% for TARK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while TARK charges 1.48%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $148 annually, a gap of $139 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 28.11% for TARK.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and TARK 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 TARK?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while TARK charges 1.48%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $139 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or TARK?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% vs -9.82% for TARK, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SPY annualized +16.43% vs -2.74% for TARK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or TARK?
TARK has been the more volatile fund at 85.1% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -18.8% vs TARK -77.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and TARK?
SPY and TARK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 TARK?
SPY yields 0.98% while TARK yields 28.11%, so TARK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TARK better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y and the full window, TARK over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.