SPY vs UPGR
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | UPGR | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.35% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $0 | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.32% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 47 | |
| YTD Return | +13.21% | -6.46% | |
| 1Y Return | +19.87% | +10.77% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 27.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -35.5% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Xtrackers ETFs | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jul 13, 2023 |
SPY vs UPGR Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Xtrackers US Green Infrastructure Select Equity ETF (UPGR) is a ETF from Xtrackers ETFs. Over the past year SPY returned +19.87% while UPGR returned +10.77%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.21% versus a loss of 6.46% for UPGR.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPGR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.3% 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 -56.5% for SPY and -35.5% for UPGR. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
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 UPGR charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $35 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.32% for UPGR.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and UPGR share 12 holdings out of 537 unique holdings combined, representing a 2.2% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or UPGR?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while UPGR charges 0.35%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $26 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or UPGR?
Over the past year SPY returned +19.87% vs +10.77% for UPGR, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (3 years), SPY annualized +8.82% vs +7.96% for UPGR. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or UPGR?
UPGR has been the more volatile fund at 27.3% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs UPGR -35.5%.
Should I hold both SPY and UPGR?
SPY and UPGR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and UPGR?
SPY and UPGR share 12 common holdings with a 2.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 537 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or UPGR?
SPY yields 1.01% while UPGR yields 0.32%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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