^SPXEW vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

^SPXEW (S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index) is an index, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, ^SPXEW returned 9.93%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

^SPXEW vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (^SPXEW) 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, ^SPXEW achieves a 8.90% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SPXEW has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.93%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

^SPXEW

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: 8.90%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 17.41%
• 3Y*: 13.23%
• 5Y*: 6.49%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

^SPXEW vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^SPXEW S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index	8.90%	9.34%	10.90%	11.56%	-13.11%	27.48%	10.47%	26.57%	-9.43%	16.68%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ^SPXEW and SPY is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.92

The correlation between ^SPXEW and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.92 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

^SPXEW vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

^SPXEW

^SPXEW Risk / Return Rank: 53
^SPXEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
^SPXEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
^SPXEW Omega Ratio Rank: 51
^SPXEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
^SPXEW Martin Ratio Rank: 56

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

^SPXEW vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (^SPXEW) 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.

	^SPXEW	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.38	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	3.24	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	3.16	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	14.72	-6.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^SPXEW vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^SPXEW Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^SPXEW 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^SPXEW	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.51	2.38	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.82	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.87	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.59	-0.10

Drawdowns

^SPXEW vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^SPXEW drawdown since its inception was -60.83%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SPXEW and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	^SPXEW	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.83%	-55.19%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.03%	-8.88%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.31%	-18.76%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.47%	-24.50%	+2.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.21%	-33.72%	-5.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-0.70%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-9.05%	+2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.91%	+0.23%

Volatility

^SPXEW vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (^SPXEW) is 2.61%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that ^SPXEW 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

	^SPXEW	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.61%	2.84%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.35%	8.90%	-0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.63%	11.83%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.24%	17.05%	-0.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	17.94%	+0.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

^SPXEW and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^SPXEW or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to ^SPXEW (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^SPXEW dropped -60.83% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.51), 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.