CET vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CET (Central Securities Corp.) 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, CET returned 16.70%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

CET vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Central Securities Corp. (CET) 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, CET achieves a 3.83% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, CET has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 16.70%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.70% annualized return.

CET

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: -0.94%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 3.52%
• 1Y: 17.67%
• 3Y*: 19.88%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 16.70%

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)

CET vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CET Central Securities Corp.	3.83%	17.20%	26.82%	19.17%	-19.68%	49.00%	4.99%	38.61%	-4.49%	30.61%
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 CET and SPY is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.59

The correlation between CET and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (all time) to 0.77 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CET vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

CET

CET Risk / Return Rank: 81
CET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
CET Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
CET Omega Ratio Rank: 78
CET Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
CET Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

CET vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Central Securities Corp. (CET) 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.

	CET	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	2.16	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.91	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.39	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	3.01	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.78	13.54	-4.75

CET vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CET Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CET 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

CET vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CET drawdown since its inception was -56.69%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CET and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CET	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.69%	-55.19%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.08%	-8.88%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.42%	-18.76%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.89%	-24.50%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.91%	-33.72%	-6.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.62%	-1.75%	-0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.15%	-9.04%	-1.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	1.97%	+0.05%

Volatility

CET vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Central Securities Corp. (CET) is 4.11%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that CET 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

	CET	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	4.64%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.23%	9.75%	-0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.66%	12.43%	-0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.58%	17.14%	-2.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.66%	17.99%	-1.33%

Dividends

CET vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

CET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.27%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CET Central Securities Corp.	5.27%	5.32%	4.92%	4.90%	7.34%	8.41%	5.68%	3.78%	5.84%	3.65%	4.50%	10.41%
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 CET and SPY in my portfolio?

CET and SPY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CET or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to CET (4.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CET dropped -56.69% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.53), 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.