SPY vs URAA
SPY vs URAA
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs Direxion Daily Uranium Industry Bull 2X 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 | URAA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 1.30% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $30M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 12.30% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 12 | |
| YTD Return | +13.79% | -28.45% | |
| 1Y Return | +23.66% | -7.44% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.40% | - | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.37% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 88.1% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -69.1% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | |
| Category | Equity | Commodity | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Jun 26, 2024 |
SPY vs URAA Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and Direxion Daily Uranium Industry Bull 2X ETF (URAA) is a ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% while URAA returned -7.44%. Year to date, SPY is up 13.79% versus a loss of 28.45% for URAA.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
URAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 88.1% 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 -69.1% for URAA. 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 0.56. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while URAA charges 1.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $130 annually, a gap of $121 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPY currently yields 1.01% against 12.30% for URAA.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and URAA share 0 holdings out of 510 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or URAA?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while URAA charges 1.30%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $121 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or URAA?
Over the past year SPY returned +23.66% vs -7.44% for URAA, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SPY annualized +8.85% vs +6.66% for URAA. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or URAA?
URAA has been the more volatile fund at 88.1% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs URAA -69.1%.
Should I hold both SPY and URAA?
SPY and URAA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and URAA?
SPY and URAA share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 510 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or URAA?
SPY yields 1.01% while URAA yields 12.30%, so URAA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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