BSR vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BSR (Beacon Selective Risk ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BSR is a Tactical Allocation fund tracking the NONE, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BSR returned 7.12%/yr vs 21.27%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BSR charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BSR vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Beacon Selective Risk ETF (BSR) 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, BSR achieves a 2.87% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return.

BSR

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 2.26%
• 1Y: 11.37%
• 3Y*: 7.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

BSR vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BSR Beacon Selective Risk ETF	2.87%	4.21%	12.44%	4.67%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	16.13%

Correlation

The correlation between BSR and SPY is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2023	0.83

The correlation between BSR and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

BSR vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BSR	SPY
Utilities	12.1%	2.1%
Technology	12.1%	39.0%
Energy	11.9%	3.1%
Healthcare	11.3%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	11.0%	4.5%
Industrials	10.9%	7.8%
Real Estate	10.7%	1.8%
Basic Materials	10.3%	1.7%
Communication Services	8.4%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	1.3%	9.9%
Financial Services	0.1%	11.1%

Return for Risk

BSR vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSR

BSR Risk / Return Rank: 36
BSR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
BSR Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
BSR Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BSR Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BSR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

BSR vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Beacon Selective Risk ETF (BSR) 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.

	BSR	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.30	2.16	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.91	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.39	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	3.01	-1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.01	13.54	-8.53

BSR vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSR Sharpe Ratio is 1.30, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSR 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

BSR vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSR drawdown since its inception was -15.68%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSR and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSR	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.68%	-55.19%	+39.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.15%	-8.88%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.68%	-18.76%	+3.08%
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	-4.90%	-1.75%	-3.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.58%	-9.04%	+4.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	1.97%	+0.31%

Volatility

BSR vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Beacon Selective Risk ETF (BSR) is 2.41%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that BSR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BSR	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	4.64%	-2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.53%	9.75%	-3.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.81%	12.43%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	17.14%	-0.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.18%	17.99%	-1.81%

BSR vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSR has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSR vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BSR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSR Beacon Selective Risk ETF	2.81%	2.89%	0.89%	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 BSR and SPY in my portfolio?

BSR and SPY have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSR or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to BSR (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSR dropped -15.68% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BSR or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 21.27% vs 7.12% for BSR. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, BSR has been the lower-risk option at 2.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BSR or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 21.27% return vs 7.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BSR or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BSR.

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

BSR has the higher dividend yield at 2.81%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between BSR and SPY?

BSR is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while SPY is S&P 500. BSR tracks NONE, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: American Beacon and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BSR and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.30), 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.