SPY vs VRTL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs GraniteShares 2x Long VRT Daily ETF
Which is better, SPY or VRTL?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, VRTL over 1Y.
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 | VRTL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 1.50% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $44M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 2 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.8%Best | 122.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -47.9%Best | -63.8% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $6,420Best | $5,868 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | GraniteShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Mar 25, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 6467 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SPY has data through Sep 17, 2026 and VRTL through Jan 2, 2009.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2008 to Jan 2, 2009 (1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VRTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 122.1% compared with 21.8% 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 -47.9% for SPY and -63.8% for VRTL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
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 0.98% against 0.00% for VRTL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and VRTL 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 VRTL?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VRTL charges 1.50%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $141 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SPY or VRTL?
VRTL has been the more volatile fund at 122.1% annualized versus 21.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -47.9% vs VRTL -63.8%.
Should I hold both SPY and VRTL?
SPY and VRTL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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 VRTL?
SPY yields 0.98% while VRTL yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VRTL better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over the full window, VRTL over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.