DNA vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DNA (Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, DNA returned -52.72%/yr vs 14.20%/yr for SPY. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DNA vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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 DNA having a 12.27% return and SPY slightly lower at 11.69%.

DNA

• 1D: 2.08%
• 1M: -3.81%
• YTD: 12.27%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 30.86%
• 3Y*: -47.59%
• 5Y*: -52.72%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

DNA vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DNA Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.	12.27%	-15.38%	-85.47%	0.00%	-79.66%	-17.89%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	15.54%

Correlation

The correlation between DNA and SPY is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2021	0.45

Return for Risk

DNA vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DNA

DNA Risk / Return Rank: 53
DNA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
DNA Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
DNA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
DNA Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
DNA Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

DNA vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) 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.

	DNA	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.31	2.52	-2.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	3.42	-2.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.46	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.52	3.42	-2.90
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.90	15.93	-15.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DNA vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DNA Sharpe Ratio is 0.31, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DNA 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DNA	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31	2.52	-2.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.54	0.84	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.54	0.59	-1.13

Drawdowns

DNA vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DNA drawdown since its inception was -99.10%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DNA and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DNA	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.10%	-55.19%	-43.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-66.05%	-8.88%	-57.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-94.72%	-18.76%	-75.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.10%	-24.50%	-74.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-98.44%	0.00%	-98.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-79.64%	-9.05%	-70.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	38.15%	1.91%	+36.24%

Volatility

DNA vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) has a higher volatility of 23.46% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that DNA'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

	DNA	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.46%	2.75%	+20.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	70.34%	8.89%	+61.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	98.67%	11.81%	+86.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	97.66%	17.05%	+80.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	96.48%	17.94%	+78.54%

Dividends

DNA vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DNA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DNA Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.	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	0.97%	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 DNA and SPY in my portfolio?

DNA and SPY have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DNA or SPY?

DNA has higher volatility (23.46%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DNA dropped -99.10% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 0.31), 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.