ULVM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ULVM (VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ULVM is a Momentum fund tracking the Nasdaq Victory US Value Momentum Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ULVM returned 12.23%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ULVM charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ULVM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF (ULVM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ULVM achieves a 16.65% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return.

ULVM

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 2.65%
• YTD: 16.65%
• 6M: 15.46%
• 1Y: 28.69%
• 3Y*: 21.42%
• 5Y*: 12.23%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

ULVM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ULVM VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF	16.65%	15.84%	19.76%	10.16%	-9.04%	31.06%	3.51%	22.08%	-12.07%	4.11%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	5.07%

Correlation

The correlation between ULVM and SPY is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2017	0.86

The correlation between ULVM and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ULVM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ULVM	SPY
Financial Services	22.6%	11.1%
Technology	13.5%	39.0%
Industrials	12.3%	7.8%
Utilities	12.2%	2.1%
Healthcare	10.2%	8.3%
Real Estate	8.5%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.5%
Basic Materials	4.1%	1.7%
Communication Services	3.4%	10.6%
Energy	3.3%	3.1%

Return for Risk

ULVM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ULVM

ULVM Risk / Return Rank: 86
ULVM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
ULVM Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ULVM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
ULVM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ULVM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

ULVM vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF (ULVM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	ULVM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.65	1.90	+0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.75	2.58	+1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.34	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.46	2.67	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.39	11.92	+6.47

ULVM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ULVM Sharpe Ratio is 2.65, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ULVM and SPY, 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

ULVM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ULVM drawdown since its inception was -40.71%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ULVM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ULVM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.71%	-55.19%	+14.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-8.88%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.14%	-18.76%	+0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.77%	-24.50%	+4.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-3.17%	+2.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.72%	-9.04%	+3.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	1.98%	-0.42%

Volatility

ULVM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF (ULVM) is 3.34%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that ULVM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ULVM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	4.87%	-1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.31%	9.85%	-1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.92%	12.50%	-1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	17.15%	-1.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.82%	17.95%	+0.87%

ULVM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ULVM has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ULVM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ULVM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
ULVM VictoryShares US Value Momentum ETF	1.62%	1.81%	1.57%	1.94%	1.91%	1.36%	1.51%	1.88%	1.67%	0.38%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ULVM and SPY in my portfolio?

ULVM and SPY have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ULVM or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to ULVM (3.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ULVM dropped -40.71% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ULVM or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.05% vs 12.23% for ULVM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ULVM has been the lower-risk option at 3.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ULVM or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 12.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ULVM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for ULVM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ULVM or SPY?

ULVM has the higher dividend yield at 1.62%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between ULVM and SPY?

ULVM is categorized as Momentum, while SPY is S&P 500. ULVM tracks Nasdaq Victory US Value Momentum Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory Capital and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for ULVM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ULVM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.90), 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.