AMTR vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AMTR (ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AMTR is a MLPs fund tracking the Alerian Midstream Energy Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AMTR charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

AMTR vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN (AMTR) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

AMTR

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

AMTR vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AMTR ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	44.68%	12.75%	20.41%	36.99%	14.40%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	9.35%

Correlation

The correlation between AMTR and SPY is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2020	0.43

The correlation between AMTR and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (3 years) to 0.43 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AMTR vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AMTR	SPY
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.7%
Communication Services	0.0%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	0.0%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	4.5%
Energy	0.0%	3.1%
Financial Services	0.0%	11.1%
Healthcare	0.0%	8.3%
Industrials	0.0%	7.8%
Real Estate	0.0%	1.8%
Technology	0.0%	39.0%
Utilities	0.0%	2.1%

Return for Risk

AMTR vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMTR

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

AMTR vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN (AMTR) 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.

	AMTR	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.90	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.58	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.67	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.92	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	AMTR	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-55.19%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
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	—	-3.17%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-9.04%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.98%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AMTR	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.87%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.85%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	12.50%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.15%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	17.95%	—

AMTR vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMTR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMTR vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AMTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMTR ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return 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	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 AMTR and SPY in my portfolio?

AMTR and SPY have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AMTR or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, AMTR or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for AMTR.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for AMTR.

What is the main difference between AMTR and SPY?

AMTR is categorized as MLPs, while SPY is S&P 500. AMTR tracks Alerian Midstream Energy Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: UBS and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AMTR and 0.09% for SPY.