AMJB vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AMJB (Alerian MLP Index ETN) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AMJB is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Alerian MLP Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AMJB returned 15.54% vs 29.62% for SPY. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AMJB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

AMJB vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJB) 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, AMJB achieves a 15.81% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return.

AMJB

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: -2.86%
• YTD: 15.81%
• 6M: 15.47%
• 1Y: 15.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

AMJB vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AMJB Alerian MLP Index ETN	15.81%	1.36%	10.85%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	21.79%

Correlation

The correlation between AMJB and SPY is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 2024	0.26

Over the past year, the correlation between AMJB and SPY has dropped to 0.00 - well below their long-term average of 0.26, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AMJB vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMJB

AMJB Risk / Return Rank: 29
AMJB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
AMJB Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
AMJB Omega Ratio Rank: 26
AMJB Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
AMJB Martin Ratio Rank: 31

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

AMJB vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJB) 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.

	AMJB	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	2.52	-1.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	3.42	-1.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.46	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	3.42	-1.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.78	15.93	-11.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMJB vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMJB Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMJB 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

	AMJB	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03	2.52	-1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.59	+0.07

Drawdowns

AMJB vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMJB drawdown since its inception was -17.70%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMJB and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMJB	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.70%	-55.19%	+37.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.90%	-8.88%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.55%	0.00%	-7.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-9.05%	+4.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	1.91%	+1.40%

Volatility

AMJB vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Alerian MLP Index ETN (AMJB) has a higher volatility of 5.52% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that AMJB'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

	AMJB	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.52%	2.75%	+2.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.12%	8.89%	+3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.34%	11.81%	+3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.18%	17.05%	+1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	17.94%	+0.24%

AMJB vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMJB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMJB vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AMJB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMJB Alerian MLP Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 AMJB and SPY in my portfolio?

AMJB and SPY have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMJB or SPY?

AMJB has higher volatility (5.52%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMJB dropped -17.70% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, AMJB or SPY?

On 1-year performance, SPY leads with 29.62% vs 15.54% for AMJB. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AMJB or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, SPY has performed better with a 29.62% return vs 15.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AMJB or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for AMJB.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.00% for AMJB.

What is the main difference between AMJB and SPY?

AMJB is categorized as Energy Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. AMJB tracks Alerian MLP Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for AMJB and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.03), 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.