BIL vs. ISPY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) and ISPY (ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, while ISPY is a Derivative Income fund tracking the S&P 500 Daily Covered Call Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, BIL returned 3.88% vs 22.02% for ISPY. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. BIL charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ISPY.

Performance

BIL vs. ISPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) and ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIL achieves a 1.54% return, which is significantly lower than ISPY's 7.28% return.

BIL

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 3.88%
• 3Y*: 4.62%
• 5Y*: 3.42%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

ISPY

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 6M: 7.35%
• 1Y: 22.02%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BIL vs. ISPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.54%	4.15%	5.19%	0.16%
ISPY ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF	7.28%	13.15%	21.31%	1.65%

Correlation

The correlation between BIL and ISPY is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2023	-0.02

Return for Risk

BIL vs. ISPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

ISPY

ISPY Risk / Return Rank: 61
ISPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
ISPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ISPY Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ISPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
ISPY Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

BIL vs. ISPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) and ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY). 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.

	BIL	ISPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	19.64	1.88	+17.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	174.66	2.46	+172.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	88.16	1.33	+86.83
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	356.40	2.62	+353.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2,826.06	11.11	+2,814.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIL vs. ISPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIL Sharpe Ratio is 19.64, which is higher than the ISPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIL and ISPY, 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

	BIL	ISPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.64	1.88	+17.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	13.23	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	8.57	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.78	1.31	+1.47

Drawdowns

BIL vs. ISPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIL drawdown since its inception was -0.78%, smaller than the maximum ISPY drawdown of -16.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIL and ISPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIL	ISPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-16.88%	+16.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.01%	-8.43%	+8.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.09%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-0.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.82%	+2.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.26%	-2.08%	+1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	1.99%	-1.99%

Volatility

BIL vs. ISPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) is 0.06%, while ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY) has a volatility of 4.44%. This indicates that BIL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIL	ISPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.06%	4.44%	-4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.14%	9.11%	-8.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20%	11.81%	-11.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.26%	13.66%	-13.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.26%	13.66%	-13.40%

BIL vs. ISPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIL has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than ISPY's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIL vs. ISPY - Dividend Comparison

BIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than ISPY's 4.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%
ISPY ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF	4.51%	8.56%	9.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIL and ISPY in my portfolio?

BIL and ISPY have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIL or ISPY?

ISPY has higher volatility (4.44%) compared to BIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIL dropped -0.78% vs ISPY's -16.88%.

Which ETF is better, BIL or ISPY?

On 1-year performance, ISPY leads with 22.02% vs 3.88% for BIL. On fees, BIL is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BIL or ISPY?

Over the 1-year period, ISPY has performed better with a 22.02% return vs 3.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BIL or ISPY?

BIL is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ISPY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BIL or ISPY?

ISPY has the higher dividend yield at 4.51%, compared with 3.86% for BIL.

What is the main difference between BIL and ISPY?

BIL is categorized as Government Bonds, while ISPY is Derivative Income. BIL tracks Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, while ISPY tracks S&P 500 Daily Covered Call Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for BIL and 0.55% for ISPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.64 vs 1.88), 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.