GBP=X vs. SPY

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

GBP=X (USD/GBP) is a currency, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, GBP=X returned -0.28%/yr vs 14.97%/yr for SPY. Their 0.27 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.

Performance

GBP=X vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in USD/GBP (GBP=X) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

GBP=X is traded in GBP, while SPY is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the SPY values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBP=X achieves a 0.17% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 13.91% return. Over the past 10 years, GBP=X has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -0.28%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 14.97% annualized return.

GBP=X

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.73%
• 6M: 1.83%
• YTD: 0.17%
• 1Y: -1.26%
• 3Y*: -1.78%
• 5Y*: 0.70%
• 10Y*: -0.28%
• ALL TIME*: 2.21%

SPY

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: 2.78%
• 6M: 14.52%
• YTD: 13.91%
• 1Y: 22.01%
• 3Y*: 19.30%
• 5Y*: 14.11%
• 10Y*: 14.97%
• ALL TIME*: 13.65%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
GBP=X USD/GBP	£68.55K	£63.45K	£59.94K
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	£30.56B	£27.56B	£29.75B

GBP=X vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBP=X USD/GBP	0.17%	-7.12%	1.75%	-5.00%	11.89%	0.95%	-2.94%	-3.80%	5.93%	-8.65%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	13.91%	9.33%	27.07%	19.87%	-8.45%	29.95%	14.86%	26.23%	1.09%	11.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GBP=X and SPY is 0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2007	0.27

The correlation between GBP=X and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (1 year) to 0.28 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GBP=X vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GBP=X

GBP=X Risk / Return Rank: 33
GBP=X Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
GBP=X Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
GBP=X Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GBP=X Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
GBP=X Martin Ratio Rank: 31

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 72
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GBP=X vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USD/GBP (GBP=X) 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.

	GBP=X	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.16	1.81	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.18	2.42	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.33	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.17	2.87	-3.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.37	10.57	-10.95

GBP=X vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBP=X Sharpe Ratio is -0.16, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBP=X 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

GBP=X vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBP=X drawdown since its inception was -22.85%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -34.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBP=X and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBP=X	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.85%	-34.68%	+11.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-7.69%	+1.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.79%	-21.94%	+9.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.85%	-21.94%	-0.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.85%	-25.78%	+2.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.57%	0.00%	-20.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.36%	-4.76%	-6.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.94%	2.09%	+0.85%

Volatility

GBP=X vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for USD/GBP (GBP=X) is 1.85%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.07%. This indicates that GBP=X 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

	GBP=X	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.85%	4.07%	-2.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.58%	9.15%	-4.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16%	12.32%	-6.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.20%	16.18%	-7.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.53%	17.93%	-9.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBP=X and SPY in my portfolio?

GBP=X and SPY have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GBP=X or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to GBP=X (1.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBP=X dropped -22.85% vs SPY's -34.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs -0.16), 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.