^DXY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

^DXY (US Dollar Currency Index) is an index, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

^DXY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

^DXY

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 1.24%
• 6M: 9.60%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 1Y: 20.42%
• 3Y*: 20.32%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.34%

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

^DXY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^DXY US Dollar Currency Index	1.13%	-9.37%	7.06%	-2.11%	7.87%	6.71%	-6.69%	0.22%	4.40%	-9.87%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.80%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ^DXY and SPY is -0.29, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.21
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	-0.04

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between ^DXY and SPY has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.04 to -0.29, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

^DXY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

^DXY

^DXY Risk / Return Rank: 17
^DXY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
^DXY Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
^DXY Omega Ratio Rank: 15
^DXY Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
^DXY Martin Ratio Rank: 19

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

^DXY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for US Dollar Currency Index (^DXY) 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.

	^DXY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.71	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.36	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.31	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.42	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	10.55	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	^DXY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-55.19%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-1.69%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-9.03%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.03%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	^DXY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.15%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.96%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	12.55%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.17%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	17.93%	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^DXY and SPY in my portfolio?

^DXY and SPY have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.