FNY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FNY (First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FNY is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Mid Cap Growth Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNY returned 13.68%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FNY charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

FNY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) 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, FNY achieves a 14.89% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, FNY has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.68%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

FNY

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 4.61%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 6M: 14.12%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 19.96%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 13.68%

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)

FNY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNY First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	14.89%	14.03%	18.09%	21.13%	-23.80%	13.46%	36.97%	32.54%	-7.53%	25.12%
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 FNY and SPY is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2011	0.83

The correlation between FNY and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

FNY vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNY	SPY
Industrials	25.4%	7.8%
Healthcare	18.6%	8.4%
Technology	17.5%	35.9%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	10.3%
Financial Services	9.4%	11.8%
Real Estate	6.1%	1.9%
Communication Services	3.6%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	4.8%
Energy	2.0%	3.6%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%
Utilities	0.5%	2.4%

Return for Risk

FNY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNY

FNY Risk / Return Rank: 47
FNY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
FNY Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FNY Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FNY Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FNY Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

FNY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) 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.

	FNY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.38	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	3.24	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	3.16	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.30	14.72	-5.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNY vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNY Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNY 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

	FNY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.38	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.82	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.87	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.59	-0.03

Drawdowns

FNY vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNY drawdown since its inception was -38.91%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNY and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.91%	-55.19%	+16.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.01%	-8.88%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.97%	-18.76%	-6.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.94%	-24.50%	-9.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.91%	-33.72%	-5.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-0.70%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.60%	-9.05%	+1.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.30%	1.91%	+1.39%

Volatility

FNY vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FNY) has a higher volatility of 6.61% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that FNY'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

	FNY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.61%	2.84%	+3.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.04%	8.90%	+6.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.91%	11.83%	+8.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.30%	17.05%	+5.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.34%	17.94%	+4.40%

FNY vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNY has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNY vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

FNY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNY First Trust Mid Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund	0.03%	0.03%	0.56%	0.24%	0.24%	0.00%	0.25%	0.28%	0.06%	0.21%	0.60%	0.46%
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 FNY and SPY in my portfolio?

FNY and SPY have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNY or SPY?

FNY has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNY dropped -38.91% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, FNY or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 13.68% for FNY. 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, FNY or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 13.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNY or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FNY.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.03% for FNY.

What is the main difference between FNY and SPY?

FNY is categorized as Mid Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. FNY tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Mid Cap Growth Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FNY and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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.