ARFFX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ARFFX (Ariel Focus Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - ARFFX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Ariel Investments, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, ARFFX returned 10.35%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ARFFX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ARFFX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) 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, ARFFX achieves a 8.39% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, ARFFX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.35%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

ARFFX

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 8.39%
• 6M: 7.53%
• 1Y: 33.38%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 8.40%
• 10Y*: 10.35%

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)

ARFFX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	8.39%	21.00%	13.39%	6.98%	-9.12%	21.14%	6.90%	25.62%	-13.23%	15.01%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ARFFX and SPY is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 5, 2005	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between ARFFX and SPY has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ARFFX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARFFX

ARFFX Risk / Return Rank: 76
ARFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ARFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ARFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ARFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ARFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

ARFFX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) 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.

	ARFFX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.16	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	2.91	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.39	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	3.01	+1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.64	13.54	-2.89

ARFFX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARFFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARFFX 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

ARFFX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARFFX drawdown since its inception was -57.66%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARFFX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARFFX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.66%	-55.19%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.02%	-8.88%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.39%	-18.76%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-24.50%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.22%	-33.72%	-9.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.31%	-1.75%	-2.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-9.04%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	1.97%	+1.21%

Volatility

ARFFX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ariel Focus Fund (ARFFX) is 4.18%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that ARFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARFFX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.18%	4.64%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	9.75%	-0.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.71%	12.43%	+1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.54%	17.14%	+1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.88%	17.99%	+1.89%

ARFFX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARFFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARFFX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ARFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.70%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARFFX Ariel Focus Fund	11.70%	12.68%	2.27%	3.33%	8.30%	3.30%	2.41%	1.03%	7.61%	5.76%	1.04%	13.91%
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 ARFFX and SPY in my portfolio?

ARFFX and SPY have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARFFX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to ARFFX (4.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARFFX dropped -57.66% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 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.