SPY vs VRTL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | VRTL | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 1.50% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $52M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.00% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 2 | |
| YTD Return | +13.75% | - | |
| 1Y Return | +22.91% | -41.38% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.67% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.32% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 122.1% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -63.8% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | GraniteShares | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 25, 2025 |
SPY vs VRTL Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF (VRTL) is a ETF from GraniteShares. Over the past year SPY returned +22.91% while VRTL returned -41.38%.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VRTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 122.1% 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 -63.8% for VRTL. 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 VRTL charges 1.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $150 annually, a gap of $141 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 0.00% for VRTL.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and VRTL share 1 holdings out of 503 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.2% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in VRTL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VRT | 0.19% | 66.65% | 66.46% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or VRTL?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VRTL charges 1.50%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $141 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or VRTL?
Over the past year SPY returned +22.91% vs -41.38% for VRTL, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs -41.32% for VRTL. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or VRTL?
VRTL has been the more volatile fund at 122.1% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs VRTL -63.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and VRTL?
SPY and VRTL 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 VRTL?
SPY and VRTL share 1 common holdings with a 0.2% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 503 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or VRTL?
SPY yields 1.01% while VRTL yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Popular ETF Comparisons
Get Full ETF Analytics
Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.