DIVS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DIVS (SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DIVS is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. DIVS is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DIVS returned 9.00%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIVS charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DIVS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) 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, DIVS achieves a 6.02% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

DIVS

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: -0.53%
• YTD: 6.02%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 10.66%
• 3Y*: 12.30%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 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)

DIVS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DIVS SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF	6.02%	11.66%	12.60%	15.98%	-8.97%	17.30%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	21.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DIVS and SPY is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2021	0.81

The correlation between DIVS and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DIVS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIVS	SPY
Industrials	24.8%	7.8%
Technology	22.5%	39.0%
Consumer Defensive	20.6%	4.5%
Financial Services	13.6%	11.1%
Healthcare	12.7%	8.3%
Communication Services	3.2%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	2.6%	9.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

DIVS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIVS

DIVS Risk / Return Rank: 27
DIVS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
DIVS Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
DIVS Omega Ratio Rank: 27
DIVS Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
DIVS Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

DIVS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) 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.

	DIVS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	1.90	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.58	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.34	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.01	2.67	-1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.60	11.92	-8.32

DIVS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIVS Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIVS 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

DIVS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIVS drawdown since its inception was -29.55%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIVS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.55%	-55.19%	+25.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.62%	-8.88%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.61%	-18.76%	+6.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.71%	-24.50%	+3.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-3.17%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-9.04%	+5.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	1.98%	+0.99%

Volatility

DIVS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) is 2.91%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that DIVS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIVS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	4.87%	-1.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.42%	9.85%	-1.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.60%	12.50%	-1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.07%	17.15%	-4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.10%	17.95%	+8.15%

DIVS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIVS has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIVS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DIVS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIVS SmartETFs Dividend Builder ETF	3.17%	2.61%	2.66%	3.14%	5.93%	3.76%	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 DIVS and SPY in my portfolio?

DIVS and SPY have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIVS or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to DIVS (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVS dropped -29.55% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, DIVS or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.05% vs 9.00% for DIVS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DIVS has been the lower-risk option at 2.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIVS or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 9.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIVS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for DIVS.

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

DIVS has the higher dividend yield at 3.17%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between DIVS and SPY?

DIVS is categorized as Global Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Guinness Atkinson Asset Management and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for DIVS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.01), 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.