EQL vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Alps Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

EQL is a passively managed fund by SS&C that tracks the performance of the NYSE Select Sector Equal Weight Index. It was launched on Jul 7, 2009.

Performance

EQL vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alps Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EQL vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EQL Alps Equal Sector Weight ETF	3.18%	13.09%	16.44%	16.87%	-10.72%	29.32%	10.87%	27.87%	-6.12%	18.37%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EQL achieves a 3.18% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EQL having a 12.17% annualized return and ^GSPC not far ahead at 12.24%.

EQL

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -4.16%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 6M: 4.20%
• 1Y: 15.32%
• 3Y*: 14.94%
• 5Y*: 10.72%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

EQL vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 57
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 61
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 62

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

EQL vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alps Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	EQL	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	0.92	+0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	1.41	+0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.21	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	1.41	-0.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.43	6.61	-0.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EQL vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EQL Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is comparable to the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EQL and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EQL	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03	0.92	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.61	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.68	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.46	+0.38

Correlation

The correlation between EQL and ^GSPC is 0.92, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

EQL vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EQL drawdown since its inception was -35.65%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EQL and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EQL	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.65%	-56.78%	+21.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-12.14%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.24%	-25.43%	+6.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.65%	-33.92%	-1.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.27%	-5.78%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-10.75%	+7.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	2.60%	-0.18%

Volatility

EQL vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alps Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) is 3.88%, while S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) has a volatility of 5.37%. This indicates that EQL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EQL	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	5.37%	-1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.31%	9.55%	-2.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.87%	18.33%	-3.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.59%	16.90%	-2.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.55%	18.05%	-1.50%