BGLTX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BGLTX (Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - BGLTX is a Global Equities fund managed by Baillie Gifford Funds, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, BGLTX returned 14.94%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BGLTX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BGLTX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund (BGLTX) 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, BGLTX achieves a -11.38% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BGLTX having a 14.94% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.49%.

BGLTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.78%
• YTD: -11.38%
• 6M: -12.33%
• 1Y: -5.88%
• 3Y*: 12.32%
• 5Y*: -1.41%
• 10Y*: 14.94%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BGLTX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BGLTX Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund	-11.38%	16.38%	25.03%	36.61%	-46.09%	2.47%	102.05%	33.53%	-1.37%	54.04%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between BGLTX and SPY is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.72

The correlation between BGLTX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BGLTX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BGLTX

BGLTX Risk / Return Rank: 2
BGLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

BGLTX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund (BGLTX) 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.

	BGLTX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	2.38	-2.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.20	3.24	-3.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.43	-0.46
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	3.16	-3.35
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.44	14.72	-15.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BGLTX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BGLTX Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BGLTX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BGLTX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.25	2.38	-2.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02	0.82	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.87	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.59	-0.30

Drawdowns

BGLTX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGLTX drawdown since its inception was -70.17%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGLTX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGLTX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.17%	-55.19%	-14.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.64%	-8.88%	-16.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.28%	-18.76%	-8.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-70.17%	-24.50%	-45.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.17%	-33.72%	-36.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.45%	-0.70%	-17.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.03%	-9.05%	-6.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.12%	1.91%	+9.21%

Volatility

BGLTX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund (BGLTX) has a higher volatility of 3.67% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that BGLTX'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

	BGLTX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	2.84%	+0.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.74%	8.90%	+6.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.55%	11.83%	+8.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.82%	17.05%	+50.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.05%	17.94%	+33.11%

BGLTX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BGLTX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BGLTX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BGLTX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BGLTX Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.84%	5.15%	8.39%	0.15%	10.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 BGLTX and SPY in my portfolio?

BGLTX and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BGLTX or SPY?

BGLTX has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGLTX dropped -70.17% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs -0.24), 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.