EVIFX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EVIFX (Eaton Vance Balanced Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - EVIFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Eaton Vance, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, EVIFX returned 9.48%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EVIFX charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

EVIFX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (EVIFX) 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, EVIFX achieves a 4.17% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, EVIFX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.48%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

EVIFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 4.17%
• 6M: 4.03%
• 1Y: 13.24%
• 3Y*: 14.54%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: 9.48%

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)

EVIFX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EVIFX Eaton Vance Balanced Fund	4.17%	11.01%	19.05%	16.05%	-15.61%	13.97%	14.22%	26.25%	-3.42%	13.53%
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%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between EVIFX and SPY is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.86

The correlation between EVIFX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EVIFX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVIFX

EVIFX Risk / Return Rank: 32
EVIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
EVIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
EVIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
EVIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
EVIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

EVIFX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (EVIFX) 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.

	EVIFX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.38	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	3.24	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	3.16	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.38	14.72	-6.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVIFX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVIFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVIFX 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

	EVIFX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	2.38	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.82	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.87	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.59	-0.09

Drawdowns

EVIFX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVIFX drawdown since its inception was -42.70%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVIFX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVIFX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.70%	-55.19%	+12.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.26%	-8.88%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.79%	-18.76%	+6.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.94%	-24.50%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.94%	-33.72%	+8.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.22%	-9.05%	+2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	1.91%	-0.29%

Volatility

EVIFX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (EVIFX) is 2.25%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that EVIFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EVIFX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	2.84%	-0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.53%	8.90%	-2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.30%	11.83%	-3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.08%	17.05%	-4.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.64%	17.94%	-6.30%

EVIFX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVIFX has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVIFX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

EVIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EVIFX Eaton Vance Balanced Fund	4.93%	5.13%	5.48%	2.01%	5.77%	8.22%	2.71%	5.84%	6.50%	4.68%	1.84%	6.07%
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 EVIFX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, EVIFX and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EVIFX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to EVIFX (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVIFX dropped -42.70% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.64), 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.