COAL vs. SPTS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COAL (Range Global Coal Index ETF) and SPTS (SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COAL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the VettaFi Global Coal Index, while SPTS is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, COAL returned 68.37% vs 3.45% for SPTS. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. COAL charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPTS.

Performance

COAL vs. SPTS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COAL achieves a 21.77% return, which is significantly higher than SPTS's 0.45% return.

COAL

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 8.24%
• YTD: 21.77%
• 6M: 24.50%
• 1Y: 68.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPTS

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 3.45%
• 3Y*: 4.18%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.67%

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

COAL vs. SPTS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
COAL Range Global Coal Index ETF	21.77%	12.65%	-16.01%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	0.45%	5.05%	4.20%

Correlation

The correlation between COAL and SPTS is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2024	-0.06

Return for Risk

COAL vs. SPTS — Risk / Return Rank

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

COAL

COAL Risk / Return Rank: 70
COAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
COAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
COAL Omega Ratio Rank: 63
COAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
COAL Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SPTS

SPTS Risk / Return Rank: 84
SPTS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
SPTS Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SPTS Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SPTS Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
SPTS Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

COAL vs. SPTS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) and SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 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.

	COAL	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.63	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	4.47	-1.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.55	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.46	4.13	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.51	16.52	-6.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COAL vs. SPTS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the SPTS Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COAL and SPTS, 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

	COAL	SPTS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.63	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.49	-0.26

Drawdowns

COAL vs. SPTS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COAL drawdown since its inception was -42.29%, which is greater than SPTS's maximum drawdown of -5.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COAL and SPTS.

Drawdown Indicators

	COAL	SPTS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.29%	-5.83%	-36.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.42%	-0.84%	-14.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.96%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-5.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-5.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-0.28%	-1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.14%	-1.72%	-12.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.52%	0.21%	+6.31%

Volatility

COAL vs. SPTS - Volatility Comparison

Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL) has a higher volatility of 10.59% compared to SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS) at 0.34%. This indicates that COAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPTS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COAL	SPTS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.59%	0.34%	+10.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.26%	0.86%	+20.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.39%	1.32%	+28.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.60%	1.98%	+25.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.60%	1.72%	+25.88%

COAL vs. SPTS - Expense Ratio Comparison

COAL has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTS's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

COAL vs. SPTS - Dividend Comparison

COAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, less than SPTS's 3.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COAL Range Global Coal Index ETF	2.16%	2.63%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPTS SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF	3.91%	3.99%	4.25%	3.61%	1.27%	0.19%	0.70%	2.21%	2.04%	1.20%	0.95%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COAL and SPTS in my portfolio?

COAL and SPTS have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COAL or SPTS?

COAL has higher volatility (10.59%) compared to SPTS (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COAL dropped -42.29% vs SPTS's -5.83%.

Which ETF is better, COAL or SPTS?

On 1-year performance, COAL leads with 68.37% vs 3.45% for SPTS. On fees, SPTS is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPTS has been the lower-risk option at 0.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COAL or SPTS?

Over the 1-year period, COAL has performed better with a 68.37% return vs 3.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COAL or SPTS?

SPTS is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for COAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, COAL or SPTS?

SPTS has the higher dividend yield at 3.91%, compared with 2.16% for COAL.

What is the main difference between COAL and SPTS?

COAL is categorized as Energy Equities, while SPTS is Government Bonds. COAL tracks VettaFi Global Coal Index, while SPTS tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for COAL and 0.03% for SPTS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.34), 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.