BRTNX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BRTNX (Bretton Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - BRTNX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Bretton Fund, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, BRTNX returned 13.39%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BRTNX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BRTNX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bretton Fund (BRTNX) 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, BRTNX achieves a -1.24% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, BRTNX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.39%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

BRTNX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.24%
• YTD: -1.24%
• 6M: -1.12%
• 1Y: 10.52%
• 3Y*: 16.06%
• 5Y*: 10.30%
• 10Y*: 13.39%

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)

BRTNX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BRTNX Bretton Fund	-1.24%	11.57%	20.27%	28.91%	-12.57%	27.75%	8.44%	35.39%	-1.95%	18.19%
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 BRTNX and SPY is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2010	0.86

The correlation between BRTNX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.86 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRTNX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRTNX

BRTNX Risk / Return Rank: 9
BRTNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
BRTNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
BRTNX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BRTNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
BRTNX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

BRTNX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bretton Fund (BRTNX) 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.

	BRTNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.38	-1.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.32	3.24	-1.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.43	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	3.16	-2.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.43	14.72	-12.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRTNX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRTNX Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRTNX 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

	BRTNX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	2.38	-1.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.82	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04	0.87	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	0.59	-0.54

Drawdowns

BRTNX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRTNX drawdown since its inception was -93.26%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRTNX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRTNX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-93.26%	-55.19%	-38.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.53%	-8.88%	-5.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-93.26%	-18.76%	-74.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.26%	-24.50%	-68.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-93.26%	-33.72%	-59.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-91.82%	-0.70%	-91.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.87%	-9.05%	-2.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	1.91%	+2.58%

Volatility

BRTNX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Bretton Fund (BRTNX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.90% and 2.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRTNX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	2.84%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	8.90%	+0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.43%	11.83%	+0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	457.01%	17.05%	+439.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	323.45%	17.94%	+305.51%

BRTNX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRTNX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRTNX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BRTNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRTNX Bretton Fund	1.54%	1.52%	1.09%	0.00%	1.98%	0.62%	0.29%	0.00%	0.86%	0.00%	1.63%	0.19%
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 BRTNX and SPY in my portfolio?

BRTNX and SPY have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRTNX or SPY?

BRTNX has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRTNX dropped -93.26% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.85), 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.