AWAY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AWAY (ETFMG Travel Tech ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AWAY is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the Prime Travel Technology Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AWAY returned -10.42%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AWAY charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

AWAY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) 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, AWAY achieves a -14.15% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return.

AWAY

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 8.11%
• YTD: -14.15%
• 6M: -16.05%
• 1Y: -13.55%
• 3Y*: 1.81%
• 5Y*: -10.42%
• 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)

AWAY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AWAY ETFMG Travel Tech ETF	-14.15%	-3.36%	10.44%	17.94%	-32.25%	-5.91%	3.47%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	12.87%

Correlation

The correlation between AWAY and SPY is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2020	0.67

The correlation between AWAY and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

AWAY vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AWAY	SPY
Consumer Cyclical	64.2%	9.9%
Technology	29.0%	39.0%
Communication Services	4.4%	10.6%
Industrials	1.2%	7.8%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

AWAY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWAY

AWAY Risk / Return Rank: 4
AWAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
AWAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
AWAY Omega Ratio Rank: 4
AWAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
AWAY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

AWAY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) 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.

	AWAY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.61	2.16	-2.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.73	2.91	-3.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.39	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.41	3.01	-3.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.79	13.54	-14.33

AWAY vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWAY Sharpe Ratio is -0.61, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWAY 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

AWAY vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWAY drawdown since its inception was -56.57%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWAY and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWAY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.57%	-55.19%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.83%	-8.88%	-23.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.83%	-18.76%	-14.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.63%	-24.50%	-27.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.21%	-1.75%	-46.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.31%	-9.04%	-27.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.14%	1.97%	+15.17%

Volatility

AWAY vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ETFMG Travel Tech ETF (AWAY) has a higher volatility of 6.78% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that AWAY'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

	AWAY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.78%	4.64%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.50%	9.75%	+8.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.44%	12.43%	+10.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.89%	17.14%	+9.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.75%	17.99%	+13.76%

AWAY vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

AWAY vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AWAY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWAY ETFMG Travel Tech ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	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 AWAY and SPY in my portfolio?

AWAY and SPY have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWAY or SPY?

AWAY has higher volatility (6.78%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWAY dropped -56.57% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, AWAY or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.51% vs -10.42% for AWAY. 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, AWAY or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.51% return vs -10.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AWAY or SPY?

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

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.00% for AWAY.

What is the main difference between AWAY and SPY?

AWAY is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. AWAY tracks Prime Travel Technology Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for AWAY and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs -0.61), 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.