SPY vs UGLD
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Direxion Daily Gold Bull 2X ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | UGLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 1.07% | |
| AUM | $814.4B | $9M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.23% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 8 | |
| YTD Return | +13.78% | -3.88% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.44% | - | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.38% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.80% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2% | - | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -25.0% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | May 27, 2026 |
SPY vs UGLD Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Direxion Daily Gold Bull 2X ETF (UGLD) is a ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Year to date, SPY is up 13.78% versus a loss of 3.88% for UGLD.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for SPY and -25.0% for UGLD. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
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 1.01% against 0.23% for UGLD.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and UGLD share 0 holdings out of 507 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
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. On a $10,000 investment, that is $98 per year of difference.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and UGLD?
SPY and UGLD share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 507 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or UGLD?
SPY yields 1.01% while UGLD yields 0.23%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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