SPY vs USG
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund
Which is better, SPY or USG?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, USG over 3Y, 5Y 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 | USG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $8M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 28.29% |
| Holdings | 505 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +13.81%Best | -3.35% |
| 1Y Return | +16.94%Best | +11.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.84% | +25.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.50% | +16.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.5%Best | -24.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,836 | $21,149Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | USCF Investments |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | - |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Nov 8, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2021 to Sep 22, 2026 (4.9 years).
SPY vs USG 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
SPY vs USG Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income Fund (USG) is an ETF from USCF Investments. Over the past year SPY returned +16.94% while USG returned +11.30%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.81% versus a loss of 3.35% for USG.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +22.84% per year against +25.38% for USG; over five years the annualized figures are +13.50% and +16.16% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 15.3% for USG. 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 -24.9% for USG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while USG charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $45 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 28.29% for USG.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and USG 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 USG?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while USG charges 0.45%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or USG?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.94% vs +11.30% for USG, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or USG?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 15.3% for USG. Worst drawdown: SPY -24.5% vs USG -24.9%.
Should I hold both SPY and USG?
SPY and USG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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 USG?
SPY yields 0.98% while USG yields 28.29%, so USG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USG better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, USG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.