GFLW vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GFLW (VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GFLW is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Victory Free Cash Flow Growth Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GFLW returned 29.44% vs 27.98% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GFLW charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GFLW vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GFLW) 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, GFLW achieves a 16.55% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

GFLW

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 10.36%
• YTD: 16.55%
• 6M: 15.42%
• 1Y: 29.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

GFLW vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GFLW VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF	16.55%	18.40%	-6.12%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	-3.23%

Correlation

The correlation between GFLW and SPY is 0.86, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.87

The correlation between GFLW and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFLW vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFLW

GFLW Risk / Return Rank: 42
GFLW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
GFLW Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
GFLW Omega Ratio Rank: 41
GFLW Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
GFLW Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

GFLW vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GFLW) 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.

	GFLW	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	2.38	-0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	3.24	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	3.16	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.72	14.72	-8.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFLW vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFLW Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFLW 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

	GFLW	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	2.38	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.59	+0.19

Drawdowns

GFLW vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFLW drawdown since its inception was -24.14%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFLW and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFLW	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.14%	-55.19%	+31.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.95%	-8.88%	-6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.70%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.64%	-9.05%	+4.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.39%	1.91%	+2.48%

Volatility

GFLW vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF (GFLW) has a higher volatility of 5.44% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that GFLW'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

	GFLW	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.44%	2.84%	+2.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.94%	8.90%	+6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.30%	11.83%	+7.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.57%	17.05%	+7.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.57%	17.94%	+6.63%

GFLW vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFLW has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFLW vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GFLW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFLW VictoryShares Free Cash Flow Growth ETF	0.01%	0.02%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 GFLW and SPY in my portfolio?

GFLW and SPY have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFLW or SPY?

GFLW has higher volatility (5.44%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFLW dropped -24.14% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, GFLW or SPY?

On 1-year performance, GFLW leads with 29.44% vs 27.98% for SPY. 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, GFLW or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, GFLW has performed better with a 29.44% return vs 27.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GFLW or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for GFLW.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.01% for GFLW.

What is the main difference between GFLW and SPY?

GFLW is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. GFLW tracks Victory Free Cash Flow Growth Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for GFLW and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.53), 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.