NUG vs SPY

NUG vs SPY

Which is better, NUG or SPY?

Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Blend.

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns (1Y): SPY

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

MetricNUGSPY
Expense Ratio0.75%0.09%Best
AUM$2M$823.2B
Dividend Yield0.00%0.99%
Holdings101,515
YTD Return-40.96%+13.53%Best
1Y Return-31.85%+17.47%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+22.36%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.21%
Fund FamilyLeverage SharesState Street Investment Management
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleTrading-Leveraged EquityLarge Cap Blend
InceptionNov 17, 2025Jan 22, 1993

Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.

NUG 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 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.

NUG vs SPY Performance

Leverage Shares 2X Long NU Daily ETF (NUG) is an ETF from Leverage Shares and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year NUG returned -31.85% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, NUG is down 40.96% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Fees and Cost Over Time

NUG charges 0.75% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $9 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUG currently yields 0.00% against 0.99% for SPY.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of NUG and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

NUGSPY

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, NUG or SPY?

NUG has an expense ratio of 0.75% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, NUG or SPY?

Over the past year NUG returned -31.85% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, NUG or SPY?

NUG yields 0.00% while SPY yields 0.99%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is SPY better than NUG?

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.