DIVY vs. SDY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DIVY (Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. DIVY is actively managed, while SDY is passively managed. Over the past year, DIVY returned 17.93% vs 14.49% for SDY. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIVY charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDY.

Performance

DIVY vs. SDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF (DIVY) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DIVY having a 9.53% return and SDY slightly lower at 9.15%.

DIVY

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 9.53%
• 6M: 9.75%
• 1Y: 17.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SDY

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 9.15%
• 6M: 8.72%
• 1Y: 14.49%
• 3Y*: 10.83%
• 5Y*: 6.94%
• 10Y*: 9.56%

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

DIVY vs. SDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DIVY Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF	9.53%	7.38%	3.51%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	9.15%	8.18%	4.31%

Correlation

The correlation between DIVY and SDY is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2024	0.85

The correlation between DIVY and SDY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

DIVY vs. SDY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIVY	SDY
Financial Services	24.6%	11.9%
Healthcare	12.5%	7.4%
Energy	12.2%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	5.9%
Technology	9.9%	11.8%
Communication Services	7.2%	2.5%
Utilities	6.7%	14.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.7%	16.1%
Industrials	5.7%	17.1%
Basic Materials	2.9%	5.9%
Real Estate	-	4.4%

Return for Risk

DIVY vs. SDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIVY

DIVY Risk / Return Rank: 41
DIVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
DIVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DIVY Omega Ratio Rank: 39
DIVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DIVY Martin Ratio Rank: 39

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 39
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 38
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

DIVY vs. SDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF (DIVY) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). 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.

	DIVY	SDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	1.40	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.13	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.24	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	1.90	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.85	5.10	+0.74

DIVY vs. SDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is comparable to the SDY Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIVY and SDY, 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

DIVY vs. SDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIVY drawdown since its inception was -18.35%, smaller than the maximum SDY drawdown of -54.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVY and SDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIVY	SDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.35%	-54.75%	+36.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-7.67%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.21%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.44%	-2.59%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.26%	-6.20%	+2.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.85%	+0.22%

Volatility

DIVY vs. SDY - Volatility Comparison

Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF (DIVY) has a higher volatility of 3.52% compared to SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) at 3.08%. This indicates that DIVY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIVY	SDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.52%	3.08%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	7.55%	+1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.99%	10.45%	+2.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.62%	13.99%	+1.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.62%	17.08%	-1.46%

DIVY vs. SDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIVY has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SDY's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIVY vs. SDY - Dividend Comparison

DIVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.09%, more than SDY's 2.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIVY Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF	3.09%	3.68%	2.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.49%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIVY and SDY in my portfolio?

DIVY and SDY have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIVY or SDY?

DIVY has higher volatility (3.52%) compared to SDY (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVY dropped -18.35% vs SDY's -54.75%.

Which ETF is better, DIVY or SDY?

On 1-year performance, DIVY leads with 17.93% vs 14.49% for SDY. On fees, SDY is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SDY has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIVY or SDY?

Over the 1-year period, DIVY has performed better with a 17.93% return vs 14.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIVY or SDY?

SDY is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for DIVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIVY or SDY?

DIVY has the higher dividend yield at 3.09%, compared with 2.49% for SDY.

What is the main difference between DIVY and SDY?

They also come from different issuers: Sound Income Strategies and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for DIVY and 0.35% for SDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.39), 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.