GFF vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GFF (Griffon Corporation) is a stock, 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, GFF returned 21.55%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GFF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Griffon Corporation (GFF) 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, GFF achieves a 17.55% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, GFF has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 21.55%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.49% annualized return.

GFF

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -2.70%
• YTD: 17.55%
• 6M: 16.10%
• 1Y: 26.19%
• 3Y*: 37.45%
• 5Y*: 32.07%
• 10Y*: 21.55%

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)

GFF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GFF Griffon Corporation	17.55%	4.42%	17.97%	83.96%	36.91%	41.60%	1.83%	97.74%	-44.92%	-21.43%
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 GFF and SPY is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.45

The correlation between GFF and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (all time) to 0.57 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GFF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFF

GFF Risk / Return Rank: 61
GFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
GFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
GFF Omega Ratio Rank: 58
GFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
GFF Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

GFF vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Griffon Corporation (GFF) 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.

	GFF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	2.38	-1.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	3.24	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.43	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.94	3.16	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.48	14.72	-12.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFF Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFF 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

	GFF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	2.38	-1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.87	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.59	-0.54

Drawdowns

GFF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFF drawdown since its inception was -96.84%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.84%	-55.19%	-41.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.85%	-8.88%	-18.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.85%	-18.76%	-9.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.02%	-24.50%	-14.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.32%	-33.72%	-27.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.71%	-0.70%	-8.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-55.50%	-9.05%	-46.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.58%	1.91%	+8.67%

Volatility

GFF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Griffon Corporation (GFF) has a higher volatility of 11.69% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that GFF'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

	GFF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.69%	2.84%	+8.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.84%	8.90%	+15.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.41%	11.83%	+23.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.11%	17.05%	+24.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	45.31%	17.94%	+27.37%

Dividends

GFF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, which matches SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFF Griffon Corporation	0.98%	1.03%	0.88%	4.10%	6.62%	1.16%	1.50%	1.44%	12.27%	1.23%	0.80%	0.96%
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 GFF and SPY in my portfolio?

GFF and SPY have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFF or SPY?

GFF has higher volatility (11.69%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFF dropped -96.84% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.74), 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.