ACES vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ACES (ALPS Clean Energy ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACES is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACES returned -12.09%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACES charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ACES vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) 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, ACES achieves a 14.56% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

ACES

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -5.13%
• YTD: 14.56%
• 6M: 8.10%
• 1Y: 49.72%
• 3Y*: -3.60%
• 5Y*: -12.09%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

ACES vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	14.56%	25.44%	-26.71%	-20.04%	-28.44%	-19.44%	140.33%	51.70%	-9.81%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-6.78%

Correlation

The correlation between ACES and SPY is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018	0.63

The correlation between ACES and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACES vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACES	SPY
Technology	30.1%	39.0%
Utilities	23.8%	2.1%
Industrials	21.6%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	9.9%
Basic Materials	7.3%	1.7%
Financial Services	4.4%	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	4.5%
Energy	0.4%	3.1%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

ACES vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACES

ACES Risk / Return Rank: 45
ACES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
ACES Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
ACES Omega Ratio Rank: 38
ACES Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
ACES Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

ACES vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) 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.

	ACES	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.16	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.91	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	3.01	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.65	13.54	-6.89

ACES vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACES Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACES 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

ACES vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACES drawdown since its inception was -79.05%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACES and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACES	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.05%	-55.19%	-23.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.82%	-8.88%	-8.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.68%	-18.76%	-39.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.44%	-24.50%	-49.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-61.21%	-1.75%	-59.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.98%	-9.04%	-29.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.50%	1.97%	+5.53%

Volatility

ACES vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) has a higher volatility of 13.71% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that ACES'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

	ACES	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.71%	4.64%	+9.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.88%	9.75%	+15.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.66%	12.43%	+21.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.47%	17.14%	+19.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.69%	17.99%	+17.70%

ACES vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACES has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACES vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ACES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	0.60%	0.70%	1.10%	1.44%	1.08%	0.71%	0.56%	1.79%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 ACES and SPY in my portfolio?

ACES and SPY have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACES or SPY?

ACES has higher volatility (13.71%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACES dropped -79.05% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ACES or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.51% vs -12.09% for ACES. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACES or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.51% return vs -12.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACES or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ACES.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.60% for ACES.

What is the main difference between ACES and SPY?

ACES is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. ACES tracks CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ACES and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.49), 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.