SPY vs UX

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSPYUXWinner
Expense Ratio0.09%0.75%
AUM$789.1B$5M
Dividend Yield1.01%0.00%
Holdings5057
YTD Return+13.39%-4.23%
1Y Return+22.52%+12.78%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.36%-
5Y Return (annualized)+13.19%-
Volatility (annualized)15.3%31.8%
Max Drawdown-56.5%-26.1%
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementRoundhill Investments
CategoryEquityCommodity
InceptionJan 22, 1993Jan 29, 2025

SPY vs UX Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Roundhill Uranium ETF (UX) is a ETF from Roundhill Investments. Over the past year SPY returned +22.52% while UX returned +12.78%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.39% versus a loss of 4.23% for UX.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

UX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.8% 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 -26.1% for UX. 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 0.33. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPY charges 0.09% per year while UX charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $75 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.00% for UX.

Holdings Overlap

0.0%overlap

SPY and UX 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 UX?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while UX charges 0.75%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $66 per year of difference.

Which performed better, SPY or UX?

Over the past year SPY returned +22.52% vs +12.78% for UX, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.84% vs +7.23% for UX. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, SPY or UX?

UX has been the more volatile fund at 31.8% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs UX -26.1%.

Should I hold both SPY and UX?

SPY and UX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between SPY and UX?

SPY and UX share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 505 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or UX?

SPY yields 1.01% while UX yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.