CEFD vs SPY
ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5X Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, CEFD or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | CEFD | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.09% |
| AUM | $8M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 14.82% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | - | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | -0.91% | +13.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.96% | +17.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.05% | +22.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.19% | +13.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.2% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -24.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,609 | $18,596Best |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 2, 2020 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 3, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.4 years).
CEFD vs SPY 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
CEFD vs SPY Performance
ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5X Leveraged Closed-End Fund Index ETN (CEFD) is an ETF from UBS AG and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year CEFD returned +0.96% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, CEFD is down 0.91% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.
Over three years, CEFD compounded at +15.05% per year against +22.36% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +1.19% and +13.21% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +16.63% annualized vs +6.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CEFD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.2% compared with 15.4% 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 -37.0% for CEFD and -24.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CEFD and SPY 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 performed better, CEFD or SPY?
Over the past year CEFD returned +0.96% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), CEFD annualized +6.01% vs +16.63% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CEFD or SPY?
CEFD has been the more volatile fund at 19.2% annualized versus 15.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: CEFD -37.0% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both CEFD and SPY?
CEFD and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CEFD or SPY?
CEFD yields 14.82% while SPY yields 0.99%, so CEFD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than CEFD?
SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.