AYI vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AYI (Acuity Brands, Inc.) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, AYI returned 3.02%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

AYI vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) 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, AYI achieves a -10.54% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, AYI has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 3.02%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

AYI

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 11.85%
• YTD: -10.54%
• 6M: -12.44%
• 1Y: 18.08%
• 3Y*: 26.45%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 3.02%

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)

AYI vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AYI Acuity Brands, Inc.	-10.54%	23.53%	42.95%	24.06%	-21.55%	75.42%	-11.79%	20.54%	-34.44%	-23.55%
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 AYI and SPY is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2001	0.60

The correlation between AYI and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AYI vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AYI

AYI Risk / Return Rank: 56
AYI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AYI Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
AYI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AYI Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
AYI Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

AYI vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) 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.

	AYI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	2.16	-1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.91	2.91	-2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.39	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.58	3.01	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.21	13.54	-12.32

AYI vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AYI Sharpe Ratio is 0.55, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AYI 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

AYI vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AYI drawdown since its inception was -74.22%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AYI and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AYI	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.22%	-55.19%	-19.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.52%	-8.88%	-22.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.72%	-18.76%	-14.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.64%	-24.50%	-10.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-74.22%	-33.72%	-40.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.49%	-1.75%	-12.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.15%	-9.04%	-14.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.94%	1.97%	+12.97%

Volatility

AYI vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) has a higher volatility of 10.71% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that AYI'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

	AYI	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.71%	4.64%	+6.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.26%	9.75%	+17.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.94%	12.43%	+20.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.88%	17.14%	+14.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.94%	17.99%	+18.95%

Dividends

AYI vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AYI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AYI Acuity Brands, Inc.	0.23%	0.19%	0.21%	0.25%	0.31%	0.25%	0.43%	0.38%	0.45%	0.30%	0.23%	0.22%
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 AYI and SPY in my portfolio?

AYI and SPY have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AYI or SPY?

AYI has higher volatility (10.71%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AYI dropped -74.22% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.55), 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.