DNLDX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DNLDX (BNY Mellon Active MidCap Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DNLDX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BNY Mellon, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DNLDX returned 10.25%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DNLDX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DNLDX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Active MidCap Fund (DNLDX) 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, DNLDX achieves a 12.91% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, DNLDX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.25%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

DNLDX

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 12.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 23.13%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

DNLDX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DNLDX BNY Mellon Active MidCap Fund	12.91%	9.79%	22.27%	16.99%	-14.34%	26.49%	9.29%	16.82%	-14.46%	16.64%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DNLDX and SPY is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.86

The correlation between DNLDX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DNLDX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DNLDX

DNLDX Risk / Return Rank: 52
DNLDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DNLDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DNLDX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
DNLDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DNLDX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

DNLDX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Active MidCap Fund (DNLDX) 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.

	DNLDX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.16	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	2.91	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.39	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.01	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.00	13.54	-1.53

DNLDX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DNLDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DNLDX 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

DNLDX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DNLDX drawdown since its inception was -63.69%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DNLDX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DNLDX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.69%	-55.19%	-8.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.29%	-8.88%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.42%	-18.76%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.42%	-24.50%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.23%	-33.72%	-8.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.59%	-1.75%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.62%	-9.04%	-0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.97%	-0.02%

Volatility

DNLDX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon Active MidCap Fund (DNLDX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.53% and 4.64%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DNLDX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	4.64%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.13%	9.75%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.50%	12.43%	+1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.55%	17.14%	+1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.54%	17.99%	+1.55%

DNLDX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DNLDX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DNLDX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DNLDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.31%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DNLDX BNY Mellon Active MidCap Fund	13.31%	14.15%	15.24%	1.69%	8.82%	17.74%	2.77%	2.65%	11.14%	11.32%	1.00%	3.12%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 DNLDX and SPY in my portfolio?

DNLDX and SPY have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DNLDX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to DNLDX (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DNLDX dropped -63.69% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.73), 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.