DDFL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DDFL (Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DDFL is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by Innovator, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. DDFL is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DDFL charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DDFL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) 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, DDFL achieves a 2.93% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

DDFL

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 2.93%
• 6M: 3.17%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

DDFL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	2.93%	2.85%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between DDFL and SPY is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2025	0.75

Return for Risk

DDFL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DDFL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

DDFL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July (DDFL) 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.

	DDFL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.90	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.58	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.34	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.67	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.92	—

Drawdowns

DDFL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDFL drawdown since its inception was -1.83%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDFL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDFL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.83%	-55.19%	+53.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.05%	-3.17%	+3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.31%	-9.04%	+8.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.98%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DDFL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.87%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.85%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	12.50%	-8.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.70%	17.15%	-13.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.70%	17.95%	-14.25%

DDFL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDFL has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDFL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DDFL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DDFL Innovator Equity Dual Directional 15 Buffer ETF - July	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 DDFL and SPY in my portfolio?

DDFL and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DDFL or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDFL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for DDFL.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for DDFL.

What is the main difference between DDFL and SPY?

DDFL is categorized as Defined Outcome, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for DDFL and 0.09% for SPY.