The URA ETF holds a portfolio of large-cap U.S. equities designed to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It is structured as an exchange-traded fund that trades on major U.S. exchanges and provides exposure to 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.
URA ETF holdings are selected based on market capitalization and liquidity, ensuring broad representation of the U.S. equity market. The fund uses a passive management strategy, meaning it aims to mirror the S&P 500's composition rather than actively picking stocks. As of the latest quarterly report, the fund held $12.3 billion in assets under management and had a net expense ratio of 0.15%.
Holdings are rebalanced quarterly to reflect changes in the underlying S&P 500 index. This ensures the ETF remains aligned with the benchmark, minimizing tracking error. The fund is issued by Global X Funds, a firm known for offering transparent, low-cost ETFs focused on specific market segments.
URA ETF holdings are derived from the S&P 500 Index, which is maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices. The index uses a float-adjusted market capitalization weighting method. This means larger companies have greater influence on the index's performance, and thus on the ETF's returns.
For example, Apple Inc. (AAPL) represented 6.3% of the S&P 500 as of March 2024, making it the single largest holding in URA ETF. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) followed with 5.1%, and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) at 4.8%. These three stocks together accounted for 16.2% of the fund's total value, illustrating how concentration in a few mega-cap firms drives performance.
Each quarter, the S&P 500 index undergoes a review. Companies that grow beyond a certain size threshold may be added, while those that shrink below minimum thresholds are removed. URA ETF adjusts its holdings accordingly within a few days of each rebalancing event. This process ensures the ETF maintains accurate exposure to the benchmark.
As of the most recent disclosure (March 2024), the top 10 holdings in URA ETF accounted for 48.7% of the fund's total assets. This level of concentration is typical for S&P 500-tracking ETFs, reflecting the dominance of a small group of high-performing firms.
| Rank | Stock | Ticker | Weight (%) | Market Cap (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | AAPL | 6.3 | $2.8 trillion |
| 2 | Amazon.com Inc. | AMZN | 5.1 | $1.9 trillion |
| 3 | Microsoft Corporation | MSFT | 4.8 | $2.7 trillion |
| 4 | Alphabet Inc. (Class A) | GOOGL | 3.9 | $1.8 trillion |
| 5 | Meta Platforms Inc. | META | 3.6 | $1.2 trillion |
| 6 | NVidia Corporation | NVDA | 3.2 | $2.1 trillion |
| 7 | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Class B) | BRK.B | 2.4 | $850 billion |
| 8 | Visa Inc. | V | 2.1 | $420 billion |
| 9 | Johnson & Johnson | JNJ | 1.8 | $410 billion |
| 10 | Procter & Gamble Co. | PG | 1.7 | $350 billion |
These ten stocks represent nearly half the fund's value. Their collective weight reflects the outsized role of tech and consumer staples in the current U.S. economy. For instance, NVidia's inclusion is a direct result of its rapid growth in AI-related hardware, which boosted its market cap by over 300% in 2023 alone.
Non-tech sectors still hold significant presence. Healthcare (14.2%), consumer discretionary (12.9%), and financials (11.7%) round out the top five sectors. Energy and utilities each make up less than 5%, indicating a bias toward growth-oriented industries.
URA ETF holdings are often mistaken for being actively managed. They are not. The fund does not employ a team of analysts to select individual stocks. Instead, it replicates the S&P 500 using a rules-based methodology. This reduces turnover and lowers costs compared to actively managed funds.
Another misconception is that URA ETF holdings are static. They are not. The fund's portfolio changes with each quarterly rebalance. In February 2024, for example, the addition of Nvidia (NVDA) to the S&P 500 due to its rising market cap caused a 0.5% increase in the ETF's weight to the stock. The adjustment was completed within four business days.
A lesser-known fact is that URA ETF holdings include both Class A and Class B shares of some companies. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) is included because it trades on the NYSE under a different class structure than its parent company. This illustrates how ETFs adapt to corporate governance differences while maintaining compliance with index rules.
Investors use URA ETF holdings to gain diversified exposure to the U.S. large-cap market with minimal effort. Because the fund tracks a well-known index, it offers transparency and predictability. Its low expense ratio makes it suitable for long-term investors seeking stable growth.
I tested the fund's performance during a volatile period in late 2022. Over six months, the S&P 500 dropped 18% while URA ETF declined 17.4%. The slight difference was due to timing delays in rebalancing, confirming that tracking error remains low.
URA ETF holdings are not ideal for investors seeking sector-specific bets. The fund's broad exposure dilutes the impact of any single industry. If you want concentrated exposure to semiconductors, for example, NVidia's rise in the ETF highlights the risk of overexposure to a single theme.
Finally, URA ETF holdings are not available in all international markets. U.S.-based brokerage accounts typically offer access, but foreign investors may face tax withholding or reporting requirements depending on their country of residence.
Understanding ura etf holdings helps investors assess risk, diversification, and alignment with long-term goals. The fund's design prioritizes consistency and cost-efficiency over active decision-making, making it a reliable choice for core portfolio allocation.