SPY vs UXJL

SPY vs UXJL

Which is better, SPY or UXJL?

Large Cap Blend against Option Writing.

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, UXJL over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: split

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

MetricSPYUXJL
Expense Ratio0.09%Best0.85%
AUM$804.7B$6M
Dividend Yield0.98%0.00%
Holdings5058
YTD Return+12.47%+12.55%Best
1Y Return+17.51%Best+16.83%
3Y Return (annualized)+21.18%-
5Y Return (annualized)+12.88%-
Volatility (annualized)12.3%Best14.4%
Max Drawdown-8.9%Best-10.3%
$10,000 over 1.1 years$12,198$12,207Best
Fund FamilyState Street Investment ManagementFirst Trust Portfolios (US)
CategoryEquityAlternative
StyleLarge Cap BlendOption Writing
InceptionJan 22, 1993Jul 18, 2025

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 21, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.1 years).

SPY vs UXJL 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 1.1 years both funds cover.

SPY vs UXJL Performance

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and FT Vest US Equity Uncapped Accelerator ETF - July (UXJL) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% while UXJL returned +16.83%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.47% versus a gain of 12.55% for UXJL.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

UXJL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 12.3% 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 -8.9% for SPY and -10.3% for UXJL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

SPY charges 0.09% per year while UXJL charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $85 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.00% for UXJL.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of SPY and UXJL you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

SPYUXJL

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, SPY or UXJL?

SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while UXJL charges 0.85%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, SPY or UXJL?

Over the past year SPY returned +17.51% vs +16.83% for UXJL, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SPY annualized +19.80% vs +19.88% for UXJL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, SPY or UXJL?

UXJL has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 12.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -8.9% vs UXJL -10.3%.

Should I hold both SPY and UXJL?

SPY and UXJL have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or UXJL?

SPY yields 0.98% while UXJL yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is UXJL better than SPY?

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, UXJL over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.