COF vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

COF (Capital One Financial Corporation) 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, COF returned 13.52%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for SPY. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

COF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) 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, COF achieves a -15.55% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.45% return. Over the past 10 years, COF has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.52%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.08% annualized return.

COF

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 9.90%
• 6M: -12.23%
• YTD: -15.55%
• 1Y: -6.27%
• 3Y*: 24.07%
• 5Y*: 6.98%
• 10Y*: 13.52%

SPY

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 8.34%
• YTD: 10.45%
• 1Y: 21.46%
• 3Y*: 20.07%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

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

COF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COF Capital One Financial Corporation	-15.55%	37.65%	38.24%	44.32%	-34.59%	49.32%	-2.66%	38.62%	-22.77%	16.30%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.45%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between COF and SPY is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 1994	0.57

The correlation between COF and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

COF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

COF

COF Risk / Return Rank: 36
COF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
COF Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
COF Omega Ratio Rank: 32
COF Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
COF Martin Ratio Rank: 38

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

COF vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) 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.

	COF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	1.71	-1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	2.37	-2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.31	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.20	2.43	-2.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.37	10.57	-10.94

COF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COF Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COF 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

COF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COF drawdown since its inception was -90.17%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	COF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.17%	-55.19%	-34.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.47%	-8.88%	-22.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.47%	-18.76%	-12.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.38%	-24.50%	-25.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.25%	-33.72%	-26.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.65%	-1.12%	-19.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.49%	-9.02%	-12.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.03%	2.03%	+15.00%

Volatility

COF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) has a higher volatility of 10.43% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.26%. This indicates that COF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.43%	4.26%	+6.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.37%	10.01%	+16.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.15%	12.60%	+19.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.39%	17.17%	+18.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.17%	17.93%	+19.24%

Dividends

COF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

COF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COF Capital One Financial Corporation	1.48%	1.07%	1.35%	1.83%	2.58%	1.79%	1.01%	1.55%	2.12%	1.61%	1.83%	2.08%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 COF and SPY in my portfolio?

COF and SPY have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COF or SPY?

COF has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to SPY (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COF dropped -90.17% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -0.20), 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.