SPY vs UCYB
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF
Which is better, SPY or UCYB?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 5Y, UCYB over 1Y, 3Y 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 | UCYB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $9M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.31% |
| Holdings | 505 | 5 |
| YTD Return | +12.47% | +59.93%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.51% | +35.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.18% | +40.52%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.88%Best | +12.33% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 47.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -62.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,327Best | $17,885 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jan 19, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 21, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.6 years).
SPY vs UCYB 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
SPY vs UCYB Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and ProShares Ultra Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF (UCYB) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% while UCYB returned +35.62%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.47% versus a gain of 59.93% for UCYB.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.18% per year against +40.52% for UCYB; over five years the annualized figures are +12.88% and +12.33% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, UCYB has the edge at +14.53% annualized vs +14.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UCYB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 47.8% compared with 15.1% 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 -24.5% for SPY and -62.9% for UCYB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while UCYB 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 1.31% for UCYB.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and UCYB 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 UCYB?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while UCYB charges 0.95%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or UCYB?
Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% vs +35.62% for UCYB, so UCYB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), SPY annualized +14.47% vs +14.53% for UCYB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or UCYB?
UCYB has been the more volatile fund at 47.8% annualized versus 15.1% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs UCYB -62.9%.
Should I hold both SPY and UCYB?
SPY and UCYB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 UCYB?
SPY yields 0.98% while UCYB yields 1.31%, so UCYB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UCYB better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 5Y, UCYB over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.