SPY vs USSH
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs WisdomTree 1-3 Year Laddered Treasury Fund 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 | USSH | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.15% | |
| AUM | $821.1B | $23M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 3.65% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 25 | |
| YTD Return | +12.22% | +1.04% | |
| 1Y Return | +20.83% | +2.75% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.70% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.98% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 1.5% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -0.9% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | WisdomTree Investments | |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 14, 2024 |
SPY vs USSH Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and WisdomTree 1-3 Year Laddered Treasury Fund ETF (USSH) is a ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year SPY returned +20.83% while USSH returned +2.75%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.22% versus a gain of 1.04% for USSH.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 1.5% for USSH. 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 -0.9% for USSH. 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 0.19. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while USSH charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $15 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 3.65% for USSH.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and USSH share 0 holdings out of 505 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 USSH?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while USSH charges 0.15%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $6 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or USSH?
Over the past year SPY returned +20.83% vs +2.75% for USSH, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.79% vs +4.54% for USSH. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or USSH?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 1.5% for USSH. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs USSH -0.9%.
Should I hold both SPY and USSH?
SPY and USSH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.19, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and USSH?
SPY and USSH share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 505 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or USSH?
SPY yields 1.01% while USSH yields 3.65%, so USSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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