CADUSD=X vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 3, 2026

CADUSD=X (CAD/USD) is a currency, 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, CADUSD=X returned -0.74%/yr vs 15.09%/yr for SPY. Their 0.12 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.

Performance

CADUSD=X vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CAD/USD (CADUSD=X) 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, CADUSD=X achieves a -2.35% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.70% return. Over the past 10 years, CADUSD=X has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -0.74%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.09% annualized return.

CADUSD=X

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.19%
• 6M: -2.77%
• YTD: -2.35%
• 1Y: -1.19%
• 3Y*: -1.63%
• 5Y*: -2.22%
• 10Y*: -0.74%
• ALL TIME*: -0.11%

SPY

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 9.53%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 1Y: 23.22%
• 3Y*: 20.74%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.09%
• ALL TIME*: 10.83%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CADUSD=X CAD/USD	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	$38.19B	$36.17B	$39.59B

CADUSD=X vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CADUSD=X CAD/USD	-2.35%	4.78%	-7.81%	2.44%	-5.96%	0.05%	2.43%	4.30%	-7.76%	7.26%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.70%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between CADUSD=X and SPY is 0.02, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2003	0.12

Return for Risk

CADUSD=X vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CADUSD=X

CADUSD=X Risk / Return Rank: 31
CADUSD=X Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
CADUSD=X Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
CADUSD=X Omega Ratio Rank: 30
CADUSD=X Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
CADUSD=X Martin Ratio Rank: 31

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 78
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CADUSD=X vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CAD/USD (CADUSD=X) 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.

	CADUSD=X	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.28	1.82	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.38	2.50	-2.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.32	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.22	2.62	-2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.51	11.20	-11.71

CADUSD=X vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CADUSD=X Sharpe Ratio is -0.28, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CADUSD=X 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

CADUSD=X vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CADUSD=X drawdown since its inception was -37.58%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CADUSD=X and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CADUSD=X	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.58%	-55.19%	+17.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.22%	-8.88%	+3.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.34%	-18.76%	+8.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.26%	-24.50%	+8.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.20%	-33.72%	+15.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.49%	0.00%	-34.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.75%	-9.01%	-10.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	2.08%	+0.19%

Volatility

CADUSD=X vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for CAD/USD (CADUSD=X) is 1.09%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 3.84%. This indicates that CADUSD=X 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

	CADUSD=X	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.09%	3.84%	-2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.86%	10.23%	-7.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.21%	12.87%	-8.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.08%	17.19%	-11.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.65%	17.96%	-11.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CADUSD=X and SPY in my portfolio?

CADUSD=X and SPY have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CADUSD=X or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to CADUSD=X (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CADUSD=X dropped -37.58% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs -0.28), 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.