ENFR vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ENFR (Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ENFR is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ENFR returned 11.81%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ENFR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ENFR vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) 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, ENFR achieves a 23.07% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, ENFR has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.81%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

ENFR

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -5.94%
• YTD: 23.07%
• 6M: 24.76%
• 1Y: 24.84%
• 3Y*: 28.26%
• 5Y*: 19.69%
• 10Y*: 11.81%

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)

ENFR vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ENFR Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF	23.07%	5.88%	42.17%	15.63%	17.48%	39.97%	-24.14%	21.60%	-18.67%	-0.19%
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 ENFR and SPY is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2013	0.49

The correlation between ENFR and SPY shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.49 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ENFR vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ENFR	SPY
Energy	98.5%	3.1%
Industrials	3.4%	7.8%
Utilities	1.4%	2.1%
Financial Services	0.1%	11.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.0%

Return for Risk

ENFR vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ENFR

ENFR Risk / Return Rank: 50
ENFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
ENFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
ENFR Omega Ratio Rank: 46
ENFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ENFR Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

ENFR vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) 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.

	ENFR	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.16	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.91	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.39	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.01	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.40	13.54	-6.13

ENFR vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ENFR Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ENFR 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

ENFR vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ENFR drawdown since its inception was -68.28%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ENFR and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ENFR	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.28%	-55.19%	-13.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.64%	-8.88%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.58%	-18.76%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.29%	-24.50%	+4.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.64%	-33.72%	-28.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.12%	-1.75%	-4.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.94%	-9.04%	-6.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	1.97%	+1.39%

Volatility

ENFR vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) has a higher volatility of 5.42% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that ENFR'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

	ENFR	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	4.64%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.57%	9.75%	+1.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.82%	12.43%	+2.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.24%	17.14%	+2.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.68%	17.99%	+6.69%

ENFR vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ENFR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ENFR vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ENFR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.08%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ENFR Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF	4.08%	4.77%	4.41%	5.48%	5.23%	7.86%	7.57%	5.81%	3.98%	2.98%	3.31%	3.34%
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 ENFR and SPY in my portfolio?

ENFR and SPY have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ENFR or SPY?

ENFR has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ENFR dropped -68.28% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ENFR or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.70% vs 11.81% for ENFR. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ENFR or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.70% return vs 11.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ENFR or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for ENFR.

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

ENFR has the higher dividend yield at 4.08%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between ENFR and SPY?

ENFR is categorized as Energy Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. ENFR tracks Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for ENFR and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.69), 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.