SPY vs UGLD
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Direxion Daily Gold Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, SPY or UGLD?
SPY costs less.
SPY has a lower expense ratio.
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 | UGLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 1.07% |
| AUM | $811.2B | $10M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.20% |
| Holdings | 1,515 | 16 |
| YTD Return | +12.70%Best | -17.27% |
| 1Y Return | +15.53% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.86% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.47% | - |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | May 27, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
SPY vs UGLD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SPY vs UGLD Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Direxion Daily Gold Bull 2X ETF (UGLD) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Year to date, SPY is up 12.70% versus a loss of 17.27% for UGLD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while UGLD charges 1.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $107 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.20% for UGLD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 3 in UGLD, totalling 99.8% and 96.9% 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 3 in UGLD, against full books of 1,515 and 16.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and UGLD 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 UGLD?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while UGLD charges 1.07%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or UGLD?
SPY yields 0.98% while UGLD yields 0.20%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UGLD better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.