SPY vs UCC
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs ProShares Ultra Consumer Discretionary
Which is better, SPY or UCC?
Large Cap Blend against Multi Alternative.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, UCC over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | UCC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $9M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.28% |
| Holdings | 505 | 51 |
| YTD Return | +10.96%Best | -18.68% |
| 1Y Return | +15.52%Best | -23.95% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.73%Best | +8.13% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.53%Best | -4.41% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 36.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -83.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,044Best | $7,981 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Multi Alternative |
| 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 16, 2026 (19.6 years).
SPY vs UCC 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 UCC Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and ProShares Ultra Consumer Discretionary (UCC) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SPY returned +15.52% while UCC returned -23.95%. Year to date, SPY is up 10.96% versus a loss of 18.68% for UCC.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.73% per year against +8.13% for UCC; over five years the annualized figures are +12.53% and -4.41% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, UCC has the edge at +12.11% annualized vs +9.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UCC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.1% compared with 15.5% 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 -56.5% for SPY and -83.3% for UCC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while UCC 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 0.98% against 1.28% for UCC.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.8% of SPY's money is in holdings UCC also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UCC, our book for it covers 63.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPY and UCC share little of their money.
44 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 47 in UCC, against full books of 505 and 51.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in UCC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.79% | 15.55% | 11.76% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.52% | 11.04% | 9.52% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.48% | 3.48% | 3.00% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 0.28% | 2.58% | 2.30% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 0.23% | 2.46% | 2.23% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 0.22% | 2.23% | 2.01% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 0.18% | 1.94% | 1.76% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 0.17% | 1.83% | 1.66% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 0.13% | 1.40% | 1.27% |
| GMGeneral Motors Co | 0.12% | 1.24% | 1.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and UCC 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 UCC?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while UCC charges 0.95%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or UCC?
Over the past year SPY returned +15.52% vs -23.95% for UCC, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SPY annualized +9.19% vs +12.11% for UCC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or UCC?
UCC has been the more volatile fund at 36.1% annualized versus 15.5% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs UCC -83.3%.
Should I hold both SPY and UCC?
SPY and UCC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and UCC?
At least 8.8% of SPY's money is in holdings UCC also owns. Our book for UCC is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 47 in UCC.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or UCC?
SPY yields 0.98% while UCC yields 1.28%, so UCC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UCC better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, UCC over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.