BABA vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BABA (Alibaba Group Holding Limited) 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, BABA returned 3.64%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BABA vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) 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, BABA achieves a -29.36% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, BABA has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 3.64%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

BABA

• 1D: -2.26%
• 1M: -20.35%
• YTD: -29.36%
• 6M: -31.53%
• 1Y: -8.44%
• 3Y*: 8.69%
• 5Y*: -12.97%
• 10Y*: 3.64%

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)

BABA vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited	-29.36%	75.80%	11.77%	-10.83%	-25.84%	-48.96%	9.73%	54.74%	-20.51%	96.37%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between BABA and SPY is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2014	0.44

Return for Risk

BABA vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BABA

BABA Risk / Return Rank: 34
BABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
BABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
BABA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
BABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BABA Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

BABA vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) 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.

	BABA	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	1.90	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.02	2.58	-2.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.34	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	2.67	-2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	11.92	-12.33

BABA vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BABA Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BABA 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

BABA vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BABA drawdown since its inception was -80.09%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BABA and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BABA	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.09%	-55.19%	-24.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.31%	-8.88%	-36.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.31%	-18.76%	-26.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.48%	-24.50%	-47.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.09%	-33.72%	-46.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-65.62%	-3.17%	-62.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.61%	-9.04%	-28.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	20.66%	1.98%	+18.68%

Volatility

BABA vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA) has a higher volatility of 8.04% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that BABA'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

	BABA	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.04%	4.87%	+3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.29%	9.85%	+19.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.82%	12.50%	+31.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.46%	17.15%	+34.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.41%	17.95%	+25.46%

Dividends

BABA vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, which matches SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BABA Alibaba Group Holding Limited	1.02%	1.36%	1.96%	1.29%	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 BABA and SPY in my portfolio?

BABA and SPY have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BABA or SPY?

BABA has higher volatility (8.04%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BABA dropped -80.09% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs -0.19), 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.