DTEC vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DTEC (ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DTEC returned 1.86%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DTEC charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DTEC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC) 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, DTEC achieves a 3.04% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

DTEC

• 1D: -2.82%
• 1M: 7.50%
• YTD: 3.04%
• 6M: 1.62%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: 9.62%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

DTEC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DTEC ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF	3.04%	7.21%	9.89%	25.03%	-31.29%	4.89%	44.12%	35.44%	-4.96%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%

Correlation

The correlation between DTEC 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2018	0.84

The correlation between DTEC and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DTEC vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DTEC	SPY
Technology	60.0%	35.9%
Industrials	13.7%	7.8%
Healthcare	10.4%	8.4%
Financial Services	8.5%	11.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.6%
Utilities	3.1%	2.4%
Communication Services	2.2%	11.3%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	10.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%

Return for Risk

DTEC vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DTEC

DTEC Risk / Return Rank: 12
DTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
DTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
DTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 12
DTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
DTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 12

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

DTEC vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC) 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.

	DTEC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.29	2.38	-2.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.52	3.24	-2.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.43	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	3.16	-2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.60	14.72	-14.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DTEC vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DTEC Sharpe Ratio is 0.29, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DTEC 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

	DTEC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29	2.38	-2.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.82	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.59	-0.20

Drawdowns

DTEC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DTEC drawdown since its inception was -42.00%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DTEC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DTEC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.00%	-55.19%	+13.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.31%	-8.88%	-11.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.47%	-18.76%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.00%	-24.50%	-17.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.09%	-0.70%	-4.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.31%	-9.05%	-4.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.71%	1.91%	+6.80%

Volatility

DTEC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC) has a higher volatility of 6.58% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that DTEC'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

	DTEC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.58%	2.84%	+3.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.30%	8.90%	+5.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.33%	11.83%	+6.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.07%	17.05%	+5.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.89%	17.94%	+4.95%

DTEC vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DTEC has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DTEC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DTEC ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF	0.04%	0.04%	0.45%	0.27%	0.02%	0.26%	0.37%	0.43%	0.33%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 DTEC and SPY in my portfolio?

DTEC 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 is riskier, DTEC or SPY?

DTEC has higher volatility (6.58%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DTEC dropped -42.00% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, DTEC or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 1.86% for DTEC. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DTEC or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 1.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DTEC or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for DTEC.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.04% for DTEC.

What is the main difference between DTEC and SPY?

DTEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. DTEC tracks Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for DTEC and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.29), 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.