CUT vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

CUT (Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CUT is a Materials fund tracking the Beacon Global Timber Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CUT returned 4.16%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for SPY. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CUT charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

CUT vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF (CUT) 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, CUT achieves a -2.02% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.67% return. Over the past 10 years, CUT has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 4.16%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.08% annualized return.

CUT

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 0.75%
• 6M: -7.11%
• YTD: -2.02%
• 1Y: -4.61%
• 3Y*: 0.28%
• 5Y*: -2.70%
• 10Y*: 4.16%

SPY

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 9.02%
• YTD: 10.67%
• 1Y: 21.60%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: 13.24%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

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

CUT vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CUT Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF	-2.02%	-5.92%	1.82%	8.65%	-16.38%	12.29%	18.05%	23.35%	-21.70%	30.41%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.67%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between CUT and SPY is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2007	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between CUT and SPY has dropped to 0.44 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

CUT vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CUT	SPY
Consumer Cyclical	45.0%	9.9%
Basic Materials	41.3%	1.7%
Real Estate	10.1%	1.8%
Industrials	3.6%	7.8%
Financial Services	0.3%	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	4.5%
Technology	0.1%	39.0%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Energy	-	3.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

CUT vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

CUT

CUT Risk / Return Rank: 7
CUT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
CUT Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
CUT Omega Ratio Rank: 7
CUT Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
CUT Martin Ratio Rank: 7

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

CUT vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF (CUT) 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.

	CUT	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.25	1.72	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.23	2.38	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.31	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.24	2.44	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.45	10.63	-11.09

CUT vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CUT Sharpe Ratio is -0.25, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CUT 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

CUT vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CUT drawdown since its inception was -70.03%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CUT and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CUT	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.03%	-55.19%	-14.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.62%	-8.88%	-10.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.23%	-18.76%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.40%	-24.50%	-5.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.76%	-33.72%	-12.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.09%	-0.91%	-19.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.30%	-9.02%	-6.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.21%	2.04%	+8.17%

Volatility

CUT vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF (CUT) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.58%. This indicates that CUT'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

	CUT	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	3.58%	+1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.62%	10.02%	+4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.75%	12.58%	+6.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	17.17%	+1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.05%	17.93%	+2.12%

CUT vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

CUT has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

CUT vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

CUT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CUT Invesco MSCI Global Timber ETF	2.51%	2.46%	3.05%	2.44%	2.58%	1.57%	1.65%	2.67%	3.43%	1.57%	2.08%	1.52%
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 CUT and SPY in my portfolio?

CUT and SPY have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CUT or SPY?

CUT has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to SPY (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CUT dropped -70.03% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, CUT or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.08% vs 4.16% for CUT. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CUT or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.08% return vs 4.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CUT or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for CUT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CUT or SPY?

CUT has the higher dividend yield at 2.51%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between CUT and SPY?

CUT is categorized as Materials, while SPY is S&P 500. CUT tracks Beacon Global Timber Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for CUT and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs -0.25), 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.