CUSEX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CUSEX (Capital Group U.S. Equity Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - CUSEX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, CUSEX returned 13.44%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. CUSEX charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

CUSEX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Capital Group U.S. Equity Fund (CUSEX) 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, CUSEX achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, CUSEX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.44%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

CUSEX

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 2.85%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 23.69%
• 3Y*: 20.52%
• 5Y*: 12.82%
• 10Y*: 13.44%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

CUSEX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CUSEX Capital Group U.S. Equity Fund	10.55%	18.35%	21.09%	18.90%	-12.54%	22.92%	15.32%	32.56%	-3.29%	14.72%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between CUSEX and SPY is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2011	0.96

The correlation between CUSEX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CUSEX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

CUSEX

CUSEX Risk / Return Rank: 49
CUSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
CUSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
CUSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
CUSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CUSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

CUSEX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group U.S. Equity Fund (CUSEX) 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.

	CUSEX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.90	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.58	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	2.67	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.22	11.92	-0.69

CUSEX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CUSEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CUSEX 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

CUSEX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CUSEX drawdown since its inception was -30.16%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CUSEX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CUSEX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.16%	-55.19%	+25.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.78%	-8.88%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.87%	-18.76%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.85%	-24.50%	+3.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.16%	-33.72%	+3.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-3.17%	+2.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-9.04%	+4.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.23%	1.98%	+0.25%

Volatility

CUSEX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group U.S. Equity Fund (CUSEX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 5.04% and 4.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CUSEX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	4.87%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	9.85%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.34%	12.50%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.68%	17.15%	-1.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.45%	17.95%	-1.50%

CUSEX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

CUSEX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

CUSEX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

CUSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.48%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CUSEX Capital Group U.S. Equity Fund	8.48%	9.28%	9.46%	6.45%	3.83%	5.47%	2.64%	4.44%	8.97%	1.05%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 CUSEX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, CUSEX and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, CUSEX or SPY?

CUSEX has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CUSEX dropped -30.16% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.88), 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.