AGNC vs. SPYD

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

AGNC (AGNC Investment Corp.) is a stock, while SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Over the past 10 years, AGNC returned 6.33%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for SPYD. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AGNC vs. SPYD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGNC achieves a 2.35% return, which is significantly lower than SPYD's 10.94% return. Over the past 10 years, AGNC has underperformed SPYD with an annualized return of 6.33%, while SPYD has yielded a comparatively higher 8.52% annualized return.

AGNC

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 2.43%
• YTD: 2.35%
• 6M: 4.08%
• 1Y: 28.97%
• 3Y*: 16.54%
• 5Y*: 4.24%
• 10Y*: 6.33%

SPYD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 11.30%
• 1Y: 17.69%
• 3Y*: 13.11%
• 5Y*: 8.30%
• 10Y*: 8.52%

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

AGNC vs. SPYD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AGNC AGNC Investment Corp.	2.35%	34.92%	8.90%	10.14%	-21.65%	5.20%	-1.78%	13.31%	-2.46%	23.73%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	10.94%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%

Correlation

The correlation between AGNC and SPYD is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2015	0.52

The correlation between AGNC and SPYD shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.60 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AGNC vs. SPYD — Risk / Return Rank

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

AGNC

AGNC Risk / Return Rank: 76
AGNC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
AGNC Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
AGNC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
AGNC Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
AGNC Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 46
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

AGNC vs. SPYD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). 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.

	AGNC	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.50	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	2.25	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.26	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.56	2.52	-0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.44	7.28	-2.84

AGNC vs. SPYD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGNC Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the SPYD Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGNC and SPYD, 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

AGNC vs. SPYD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGNC drawdown since its inception was -54.56%, which is greater than SPYD's maximum drawdown of -46.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGNC and SPYD.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGNC	SPYD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.56%	-46.42%	-8.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.71%	-7.05%	-11.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.04%	-16.13%	-14.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.65%	-22.25%	-28.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.56%	-46.42%	-8.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.85%	-3.30%	-6.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.56%	-6.15%	-7.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.54%	2.43%	+4.11%

Volatility

AGNC vs. SPYD - Volatility Comparison

AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) has a higher volatility of 5.55% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) at 3.57%. This indicates that AGNC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGNC	SPYD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.55%	3.57%	+1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.28%	8.03%	+8.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.58%	11.84%	+7.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.74%	16.10%	+9.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.41%	19.79%	+5.62%

Dividends

AGNC vs. SPYD - Dividend Comparison

AGNC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.87%, more than SPYD's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGNC AGNC Investment Corp.	13.87%	13.43%	15.64%	14.68%	13.91%	9.57%	10.00%	11.31%	12.31%	10.70%	12.69%	14.30%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.19%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGNC and SPYD in my portfolio?

AGNC and SPYD have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGNC or SPYD?

AGNC has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to SPYD (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGNC dropped -54.56% vs SPYD's -46.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 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.