SPYG vs. SSO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index, while SSO is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPYG returned 17.91%/yr vs 24.02%/yr for SSO. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPYG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SSO.

Performance

SPYG vs. SSO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYG achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly lower than SSO's 15.08% return. Over the past 10 years, SPYG has underperformed SSO with an annualized return of 17.91%, while SSO has yielded a comparatively higher 24.02% annualized return.

SPYG

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 10.60%
• 1Y: 29.17%
• 3Y*: 25.85%
• 5Y*: 14.92%
• 10Y*: 17.91%

SSO

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: -2.33%
• YTD: 15.08%
• 6M: 15.47%
• 1Y: 47.12%
• 3Y*: 34.18%
• 5Y*: 18.57%
• 10Y*: 24.02%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SPYG vs. SSO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	9.70%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	32.01%	33.46%	30.84%	-0.12%	27.24%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	15.08%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	60.57%	21.54%	63.45%	-14.60%	44.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYG and SSO is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2006	0.94

The correlation between SPYG and SSO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPYG vs. SSO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYG	SSO
Technology	53.2%	25.7%
Communication Services	16.1%	7.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	6.4%
Financial Services	8.4%	24.1%
Healthcare	5.8%	5.9%
Industrials	5.1%	5.3%
Utilities	1.1%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	3.2%
Real Estate	0.5%	1.3%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.2%
Energy	0.1%	2.3%

Return for Risk

SPYG vs. SSO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 53

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 59
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 66

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SPYG vs. SSO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPYG	SSO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.79	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.33	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	2.42	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.08	10.37	-2.28

SPYG vs. SSO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the SSO Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYG and SSO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPYG vs. SSO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYG drawdown since its inception was -67.63%, smaller than the maximum SSO drawdown of -84.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYG and SSO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYG	SSO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.63%	-84.67%	+17.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.76%	-18.17%	+4.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.14%	-35.21%	+13.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.67%	-46.73%	+14.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.67%	-59.34%	+26.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.65%	-4.94%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.30%	-19.55%	-4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	4.24%	-0.82%

Volatility

SPYG vs. SSO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) is 6.33%, while ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) has a volatility of 8.74%. This indicates that SPYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SSO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYG	SSO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	8.74%	-2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.48%	19.17%	-5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.81%	24.54%	-7.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.27%	33.78%	-12.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.70%	35.95%	-15.25%

SPYG vs. SSO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SSO's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYG vs. SSO - Dividend Comparison

SPYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, less than SSO's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.48%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.64%	0.68%	0.85%	0.18%	0.50%	0.18%	0.20%	0.50%	0.75%	0.39%	0.51%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYG and SSO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SPYG and SSO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPYG or SSO?

SSO has higher volatility (8.74%) compared to SPYG (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYG dropped -67.63% vs SSO's -84.67%.

Which ETF is better, SPYG or SSO?

On 10-year performance, SSO leads with 24.02% vs 17.91% for SPYG. On fees, SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPYG has been the lower-risk option at 6.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYG or SSO?

Over the 10-year period, SSO has performed better with a 24.02% return vs 17.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYG or SSO?

SPYG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SSO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPYG or SSO?

SSO has the higher dividend yield at 0.64%, compared with 0.48% for SPYG.

What is the main difference between SPYG and SSO?

SPYG is categorized as S&P 500, while SSO is Leveraged Equities. SPYG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index, while SSO tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: State Street and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPYG and 0.87% for SSO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.65), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.