SPY vs WEBS
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Direxion Daily Dow Jones Internet Bear 3X ETF
Which is better, SPY or WEBS?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.76, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | WEBS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 1.07% |
| AUM | $814.4B | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 3.20% |
| Holdings | 505 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +13.34%Best | -31.59% |
| 1Y Return | +19.97%Best | -20.54% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | -48.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.81%Best | -34.41% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.8%Best | 65.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,270Best | $1,214 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Nov 7, 2019 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 7, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.8 years).
SPY vs WEBS 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
SPY vs WEBS Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Direxion Daily Dow Jones Internet Bear 3X ETF (WEBS) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year SPY returned +19.97% while WEBS returned -20.54%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.34% versus a loss of 31.59% for WEBS.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.20% per year against -48.25% for WEBS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.81% and -34.41% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +15.61% annualized vs -52.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WEBS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 65.2% compared with 16.8% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.76. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while WEBS charges 1.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $107 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 3.20% for WEBS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 2 in WEBS, totalling 100.0% and 119.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in SPY and 2 in WEBS, against full books of 505 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and WEBS 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 WEBS?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while WEBS charges 1.07%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or WEBS?
Over the past year SPY returned +19.97% vs -20.54% for WEBS, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), SPY annualized +15.61% vs -52.19% for WEBS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or WEBS?
WEBS has been the more volatile fund at 65.2% annualized versus 16.8% for SPY.
Should I hold both SPY and WEBS?
SPY and WEBS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.76, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or WEBS?
SPY yields 1.01% while WEBS yields 3.20%, so WEBS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WEBS better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.76, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.