AADR vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AADR (AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AADR is a Global Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. AADR is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AADR returned 9.17%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AADR charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

AADR vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF (AADR) 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, AADR achieves a -5.16% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, AADR has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.17%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

AADR

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: -4.90%
• YTD: -5.16%
• 6M: -6.14%
• 1Y: 8.05%
• 3Y*: 19.73%
• 5Y*: 5.58%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

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)

AADR vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AADR AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF	-5.16%	25.63%	24.58%	18.67%	-22.93%	6.48%	13.13%	35.35%	-31.55%	47.76%
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%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between AADR 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	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 21, 2010	0.61

The correlation between AADR and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

AADR vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AADR	SPY
Healthcare	17.6%	8.3%
Basic Materials	16.7%	1.7%
Financial Services	15.1%	11.1%
Industrials	12.4%	7.8%
Technology	9.9%	39.0%
Communication Services	9.3%	10.6%
Energy	8.9%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	9.9%
Utilities	2.7%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	4.5%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

AADR vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AADR

AADR Risk / Return Rank: 14
AADR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
AADR Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
AADR Omega Ratio Rank: 14
AADR Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
AADR Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

AADR vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF (AADR) 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.

	AADR	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	1.90	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	2.58	-1.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.34	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	2.67	-2.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.07	11.92	-10.85

AADR vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AADR Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AADR 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

AADR vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AADR drawdown since its inception was -45.01%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AADR and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AADR	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.01%	-55.19%	+10.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.30%	-8.88%	-10.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.61%	-18.76%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.80%	-24.50%	-10.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.01%	-33.72%	-11.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.74%	-3.17%	-12.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.41%	-9.04%	-0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.56%	1.98%	+5.58%

Volatility

AADR vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF (AADR) has a higher volatility of 5.79% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that AADR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AADR	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.79%	4.87%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.21%	9.85%	+8.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.76%	12.50%	+9.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.75%	17.15%	+4.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.14%	17.95%	+4.19%

AADR vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AADR has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

AADR vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AADR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AADR AdvisorShares Dorsey Wright ADR ETF	0.31%	0.49%	1.33%	0.74%	3.65%	0.92%	0.11%	0.58%	0.75%	0.74%	0.58%	0.81%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AADR and SPY in my portfolio?

AADR 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, AADR or SPY?

AADR has higher volatility (5.79%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AADR dropped -45.01% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, AADR or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.53% vs 9.17% for AADR. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AADR or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 9.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AADR or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for AADR.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.31% for AADR.

What is the main difference between AADR and SPY?

AADR is categorized as Global Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for AADR and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 0.37), 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.