ALTL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ALTL (Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ALTL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Lunt Capital US Large Cap Equity Rotation Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ALTL returned 6.02%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ALTL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ALTL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) 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, ALTL achieves a 20.56% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

ALTL

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 10.54%
• YTD: 20.56%
• 6M: 20.25%
• 1Y: 46.05%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 6.02%
• 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)

ALTL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ALTL Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF	20.56%	16.61%	12.30%	-15.85%	-10.67%	45.30%	35.38%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	23.97%

Correlation

The correlation between ALTL and SPY is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2020	0.70

The correlation between ALTL and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

ALTL vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ALTL	SPY
Technology	42.5%	39.0%
Financial Services	16.7%	11.1%
Real Estate	14.8%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	9.9%
Industrials	9.7%	7.8%
Basic Materials	6.1%	1.7%
Utilities	4.0%	2.1%
Communication Services	3.7%	10.6%
Healthcare	1.9%	8.3%
Energy	1.8%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	4.5%

Return for Risk

ALTL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALTL

ALTL Risk / Return Rank: 77
ALTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
ALTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ALTL Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ALTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
ALTL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

ALTL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) 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.

	ALTL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.16	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	2.91	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.73	3.01	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.98	13.54	+2.44

ALTL vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALTL Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALTL 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

ALTL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALTL drawdown since its inception was -31.91%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALTL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALTL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.91%	-55.19%	+23.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.79%	-8.88%	-0.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.21%	-18.76%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.91%	-24.50%	-7.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.75%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.50%	-9.04%	-2.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	1.97%	+0.92%

Volatility

ALTL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF (ALTL) has a higher volatility of 10.73% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that ALTL'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

	ALTL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.73%	4.64%	+6.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.62%	9.75%	+4.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.16%	12.43%	+7.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.89%	17.14%	+1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.41%	17.99%	+2.42%

ALTL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ALTL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ALTL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ALTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALTL Pacer Lunt Large Cap Alternator ETF	0.85%	0.95%	1.56%	1.28%	1.23%	1.06%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	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 ALTL and SPY in my portfolio?

ALTL and SPY have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALTL or SPY?

ALTL has higher volatility (10.73%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALTL dropped -31.91% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ALTL or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.51% vs 6.02% for ALTL. 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, ALTL or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.51% return vs 6.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ALTL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for ALTL.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.85% for ALTL.

What is the main difference between ALTL and SPY?

ALTL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. ALTL tracks Lunt Capital US Large Cap Equity Rotation Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for ALTL and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALTL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.16), 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.