BAMBX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BAMBX (BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - BAMBX is a Multistrategy fund tracking the ICE BofA 3 Month Treasury Bill Index (G0O1) (USD), while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BAMBX returned 4.30%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BAMBX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BAMBX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund (BAMBX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, BAMBX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 4.30%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

BAMBX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.12%
• 1Y: 1.77%
• 3Y*: 5.90%
• 5Y*: 3.32%
• 10Y*: 4.30%

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)

BAMBX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BAMBX BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund	0.00%	4.59%	6.61%	6.19%	-3.23%	5.84%	3.34%	8.25%	1.51%	9.72%
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 BAMBX and SPY is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.20

The correlation between BAMBX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (1 year) to 0.27 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BAMBX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAMBX

BAMBX Risk / Return Rank: 6
BAMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
BAMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
BAMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
BAMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
BAMBX 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.

BAMBX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund (BAMBX) 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.

	BAMBX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.51	2.16	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	2.91	-2.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.39	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	3.01	-2.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.03	13.54	-12.51

BAMBX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAMBX Sharpe Ratio is 0.51, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAMBX 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

BAMBX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAMBX drawdown since its inception was -8.84%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAMBX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAMBX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.84%	-55.19%	+46.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.19%	-8.88%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.19%	-18.76%	+13.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.66%	-24.50%	+17.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.84%	-33.72%	+24.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.08%	-1.75%	-2.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.27%	-9.04%	+7.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.10%	1.97%	+0.13%

Volatility

BAMBX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund (BAMBX) is 1.32%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that BAMBX 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

	BAMBX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	4.64%	-3.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.44%	9.75%	-6.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.28%	12.43%	-8.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.69%	17.14%	-13.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.61%	17.99%	-14.38%

BAMBX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAMBX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAMBX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BAMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAMBX BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund	1.97%	1.97%	3.86%	4.13%	4.70%	2.39%	1.09%	3.73%	8.70%	3.81%	4.82%	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 BAMBX and SPY in my portfolio?

BAMBX and SPY have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAMBX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to BAMBX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAMBX dropped -8.84% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.51), 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.