BLCR vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BLCR (Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BLCR is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by BlackRock, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. BLCR is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past year, BLCR returned 48.53% vs 29.62% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BLCR charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BLCR vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF (BLCR) 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, BLCR achieves a 19.96% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 11.69% return.

BLCR

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 6.36%
• YTD: 19.96%
• 6M: 21.52%
• 1Y: 48.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

BLCR vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BLCR Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF	19.96%	30.93%	17.07%	14.18%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	15.68%

Correlation

The correlation between BLCR and SPY is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2023	0.92

The correlation between BLCR and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

BLCR vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BLCR	SPY
Technology	35.7%	35.9%
Industrials	13.5%	7.8%
Financial Services	12.1%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.0%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	10.3%
Healthcare	7.6%	8.4%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.8%
Energy	2.2%	3.6%
Utilities	1.6%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

BLCR vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BLCR

BLCR Risk / Return Rank: 89
BLCR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BLCR Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BLCR Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BLCR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
BLCR Martin Ratio Rank: 92

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

BLCR vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF (BLCR) 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.

	BLCR	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.14	2.52	+0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	3.42	+0.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.46	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.86	3.42	+1.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	23.10	15.93	+7.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BLCR vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLCR Sharpe Ratio is 3.14, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLCR 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

	BLCR	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.14	2.52	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.91	0.59	+1.32

Drawdowns

BLCR vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLCR drawdown since its inception was -21.29%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLCR and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLCR	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.29%	-55.19%	+33.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.26%	-8.88%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	0.00%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-9.05%	+6.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	1.91%	+0.25%

Volatility

BLCR vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF (BLCR) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that BLCR'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

	BLCR	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	2.75%	+1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	8.89%	+3.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.55%	11.81%	+3.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.48%	17.05%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.48%	17.94%	-0.46%

BLCR vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLCR has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLCR vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BLCR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLCR Blackrock Large Cap Core ETF	0.23%	0.33%	0.75%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 BLCR and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, BLCR and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BLCR or SPY?

BLCR has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLCR dropped -21.29% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BLCR or SPY?

On 1-year performance, BLCR leads with 48.53% vs 29.62% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BLCR or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, BLCR has performed better with a 48.53% return vs 29.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BLCR or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for BLCR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BLCR or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.23% for BLCR.

What is the main difference between BLCR and SPY?

BLCR is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for BLCR and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BLCR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 2.52), 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.