BLK vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BLK (BlackRock, Inc.) 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, BLK returned 15.01%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BLK vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) 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, BLK achieves a -0.63% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BLK having a 15.01% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.70%.

BLK

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -1.43%
• YTD: -0.63%
• 6M: -2.27%
• 1Y: 10.19%
• 3Y*: 18.31%
• 5Y*: 6.51%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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)

BLK vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BLK BlackRock, Inc.	-0.63%	6.55%	29.29%	17.86%	-20.40%	29.39%	47.21%	31.87%	-21.59%	38.20%
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 BLK and SPY is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 1999	0.60

The correlation between BLK and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.72 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BLK vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BLK

BLK Risk / Return Rank: 52
BLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
BLK Omega Ratio Rank: 48
BLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
BLK Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

BLK vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) 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.

	BLK	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.40	2.16	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	2.91	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.39	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.46	3.01	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.00	13.54	-12.53

BLK vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLK Sharpe Ratio is 0.40, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLK 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

BLK vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLK drawdown since its inception was -60.36%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLK and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLK	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.36%	-55.19%	-5.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.45%	-8.88%	-13.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.74%	-18.76%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.90%	-24.50%	-19.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.90%	-33.72%	-10.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.13%	-1.75%	-9.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.93%	-9.04%	-2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.17%	1.97%	+8.20%

Volatility

BLK vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that BLK'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

	BLK	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	4.64%	+2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.50%	9.75%	+10.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.85%	12.43%	+13.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.72%	17.14%	+9.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.75%	17.99%	+9.76%

Dividends

BLK vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BLK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLK BlackRock, Inc.	2.08%	1.95%	1.99%	2.46%	2.75%	1.80%	2.01%	2.63%	3.08%	1.95%	2.41%	2.56%
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 BLK and SPY in my portfolio?

BLK and SPY have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BLK or SPY?

BLK has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLK dropped -60.36% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.40), 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.