EPOL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EPOL (iShares MSCI Poland ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPOL is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Poland Investable Market Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EPOL returned 11.95%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EPOL charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

EPOL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) 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, EPOL achieves a 10.88% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, EPOL has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.95%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

EPOL

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -2.33%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 11.51%
• 1Y: 36.67%
• 3Y*: 33.20%
• 5Y*: 15.75%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

EPOL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPOL iShares MSCI Poland ETF	10.88%	77.34%	-2.61%	50.70%	-24.62%	12.21%	-8.38%	-6.13%	-13.76%	52.43%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between EPOL and SPY is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2010	0.58

The correlation between EPOL and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPOL vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPOL	SPY
Financial Services	44.6%	11.1%
Energy	14.5%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	9.9%
Basic Materials	7.3%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	4.5%
Communication Services	5.7%	10.6%
Utilities	4.8%	2.1%
Technology	2.0%	39.0%
Industrials	1.7%	7.8%
Healthcare	0.6%	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

EPOL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPOL

EPOL Risk / Return Rank: 52
EPOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
EPOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
EPOL Omega Ratio Rank: 41
EPOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
EPOL Martin Ratio Rank: 54

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

EPOL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) 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.

	EPOL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.90	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	2.58	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.34	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	2.67	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.08	11.92	-2.84

EPOL vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPOL Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPOL 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

EPOL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPOL drawdown since its inception was -63.72%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPOL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPOL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.72%	-55.19%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.04%	-8.88%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.81%	-18.76%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.21%	-24.50%	-29.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.41%	-33.72%	-27.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.82%	-3.17%	-1.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.81%	-9.04%	-17.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	1.98%	+2.07%

Volatility

EPOL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) has a higher volatility of 7.54% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that EPOL'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

	EPOL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.54%	4.87%	+2.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.40%	9.85%	+8.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.71%	12.50%	+11.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.18%	17.15%	+12.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.43%	17.95%	+9.48%

EPOL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPOL has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPOL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

EPOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPOL iShares MSCI Poland ETF	3.80%	4.78%	6.04%	2.87%	2.65%	1.33%	1.44%	2.51%	1.44%	1.88%	2.14%	2.53%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 EPOL and SPY in my portfolio?

EPOL and SPY have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPOL or SPY?

EPOL has higher volatility (7.54%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPOL dropped -63.72% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, EPOL or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.53% vs 11.95% for EPOL. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPOL or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 11.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPOL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for EPOL.

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

EPOL has the higher dividend yield at 3.80%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between EPOL and SPY?

EPOL is categorized as Europe Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. EPOL tracks MSCI Poland Investable Market Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for EPOL and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.55), 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.