SPY vs ZSL
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs ProShares UltraShort Silver
Which is better, SPY or ZSL?
Large Cap Blend against Trading-Inverse Commodities.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | ZSL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $804.7B | $81M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 505 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +12.09%Best | -54.77% |
| 1Y Return | +16.29%Best | -87.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.20%Best | -69.21% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37%Best | -55.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 60.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,728Best | $184 |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Trading-Inverse Commodities |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Dec 1, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (17.8 years).
SPY vs ZSL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SPY vs ZSL Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% while ZSL returned -87.99%. Year to date, SPY is up 12.09% versus a loss of 54.77% for ZSL.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +21.20% per year against -69.21% for ZSL; over five years the annualized figures are +13.37% and -55.03% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +13.42% annualized vs -42.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 60.8% compared with 14.9% 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 -0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while ZSL charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $95 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 0.98% against 0.00% for ZSL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 504 holdings in SPY and 1 in ZSL, totalling 99.9% and 13.0% 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 1 in ZSL, against full books of 505 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPY and ZSL 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 ZSL?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while ZSL charges 0.95%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPY or ZSL?
Over the past year SPY returned +16.29% vs -87.99% for ZSL, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), SPY annualized +13.42% vs -42.42% for ZSL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPY or ZSL?
ZSL has been the more volatile fund at 60.8% annualized versus 14.9% for SPY.
Should I hold both SPY and ZSL?
SPY and ZSL have a monthly-return correlation of -0.27, 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 ZSL?
SPY yields 0.98% while ZSL yields 0.00%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZSL better than SPY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.