FDNI vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FDNI (First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDNI is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones International Internet Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FDNI returned -7.90%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDNI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FDNI vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI) 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, FDNI achieves a -15.28% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

FDNI

• 1D: 2.66%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: -15.28%
• 6M: -15.75%
• 1Y: -9.95%
• 3Y*: 9.39%
• 5Y*: -7.90%
• 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)

FDNI vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FDNI First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF	-15.28%	25.64%	22.46%	1.78%	-38.38%	-20.59%	85.27%	38.38%	-8.95%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-10.54%

Correlation

The correlation between FDNI 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	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2018	0.52

The correlation between FDNI and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDNI vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDNI	SPY
Consumer Cyclical	43.5%	10.3%
Communication Services	34.7%	11.3%
Technology	17.2%	35.9%
Financial Services	3.9%	11.8%
Real Estate	0.7%	1.9%
Healthcare	0.7%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

FDNI vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDNI

FDNI Risk / Return Rank: 5
FDNI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
FDNI Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
FDNI Omega Ratio Rank: 5
FDNI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
FDNI Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

FDNI vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI) 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.

	FDNI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.42	2.38	-2.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.45	3.24	-3.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	1.43	-0.48
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.28	3.16	-3.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.55	14.72	-15.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDNI vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDNI Sharpe Ratio is -0.42, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDNI 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

	FDNI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.42	2.38	-2.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.22	0.82	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.59	-0.42

Drawdowns

FDNI vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDNI drawdown since its inception was -71.08%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDNI and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDNI	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.08%	-55.19%	-15.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.22%	-8.88%	-24.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.22%	-18.76%	-14.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.86%	-24.50%	-41.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-47.59%	-0.70%	-46.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.54%	-9.05%	-25.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.17%	1.91%	+15.26%

Volatility

FDNI vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI) has a higher volatility of 7.14% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that FDNI'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

	FDNI	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.14%	2.84%	+4.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.51%	8.90%	+9.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.72%	11.83%	+11.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.61%	17.05%	+19.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.55%	17.94%	+16.61%

FDNI vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDNI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDNI vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FDNI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDNI First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF	1.32%	1.12%	1.07%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.16%	3.12%	0.00%	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 FDNI and SPY in my portfolio?

FDNI 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, FDNI or SPY?

FDNI has higher volatility (7.14%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDNI dropped -71.08% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FDNI or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs -7.90% for FDNI. 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, FDNI or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs -7.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDNI or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FDNI.

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

FDNI has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between FDNI and SPY?

FDNI is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. FDNI tracks Dow Jones International Internet Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FDNI and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs -0.42), 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.