SPY vs URTY
SPY vs URTY
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust vs ProShares UltraPro Russell2000
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. URTY delivered stronger 1-year returns. URTY offers more diversification with 1967 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPY | URTY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.95% | |
| AUM | $789.1B | $333M | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 0.72% | |
| Holdings | 505 | 1,996 | |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +51.42% | |
| 1Y Return | +21.37% | +105.21% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.76% | +22.87% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.94% | -3.66% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 59.5% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5% | -88.2% | |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | ProShares | |
| Category | Equity | Alternative | |
| Inception | Jan 22, 1993 | Feb 9, 2010 |
SPY vs URTY Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management and ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) is a ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SPY returned +21.37% while URTY returned +105.21%. Year to date, SPY is up 11.49% versus a gain of 51.42% for URTY.
Over three years, SPY compounded at +20.76% per year against +22.87% for URTY; over five years the annualized figures are +12.94% and -3.66% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, URTY has the edge at +13.61% annualized vs +8.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
URTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 59.5% 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 -88.2% for URTY. 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPY charges 0.09% per year while URTY 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 1.01% against 0.72% for URTY.
Holdings Overlap
SPY and URTY share 4 holdings out of 2466 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SPY | Weight in URTY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEM | 0.16% | 0.01% | 0.15% |
| XEL | 0.08% | 0.01% | 0.07% |
| BLDR | 0.01% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| AOS | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 4 holdings SPY shares with URTY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPY or URTY?
SPY has an expense ratio of 0.09% while URTY charges 0.95%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $86 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SPY or URTY?
Over the past year SPY returned +21.37% vs +105.21% for URTY, so URTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), SPY annualized +8.78% vs +13.61% for URTY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SPY or URTY?
URTY has been the more volatile fund at 59.5% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SPY -56.5% vs URTY -88.2%.
Should I hold both SPY and URTY?
SPY and URTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SPY and URTY?
SPY and URTY share 4 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 2466 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or URTY?
SPY yields 1.01% while URTY yields 0.72%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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