GK vs. SPYG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GK (AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GK is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. GK is actively managed, while SPYG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GK returned 20.83%/yr vs 28.16%/yr for SPYG. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

GK vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GK achieves a 17.29% return, which is significantly higher than SPYG's 13.75% return.

GK

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 9.38%
• YTD: 17.29%
• 6M: 16.22%
• 1Y: 34.45%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYG

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 7.38%
• YTD: 13.75%
• 6M: 13.57%
• 1Y: 33.95%
• 3Y*: 28.16%
• 5Y*: 16.07%
• 10Y*: 18.20%

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

GK vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GK AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF	17.29%	17.78%	20.10%	21.19%	-42.76%	4.95%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	13.75%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	13.59%

Correlation

The correlation between GK and SPYG is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2021	0.91

The correlation between GK and SPYG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

GK vs. SPYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GK	SPYG
Technology	38.9%	51.9%
Communication Services	16.6%	16.8%
Industrials	16.3%	5.0%
Healthcare	7.6%	5.8%
Financial Services	6.1%	8.5%
Utilities	4.5%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.0%	8.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	1.0%
Basic Materials	-	0.3%
Energy	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

GK vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

GK

GK Risk / Return Rank: 54
GK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
GK Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
GK Omega Ratio Rank: 57
GK Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
GK Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

GK vs. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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.

	GK	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	2.12	-0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	2.90	-0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.37	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	2.48	-0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	10.25	-1.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GK vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GK Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GK and SPYG, 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

	GK	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.00	2.12	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.88	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.35	-0.19

Drawdowns

GK vs. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GK drawdown since its inception was -47.72%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GK and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	GK	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.72%	-67.63%	+19.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.13%	-13.76%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.62%	-22.14%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.67%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.67%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-1.13%	+0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.00%	-24.33%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.94%	3.32%	+0.62%

Volatility

GK vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF (GK) has a higher volatility of 5.76% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) at 4.35%. This indicates that GK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GK	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.76%	4.35%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.64%	12.46%	+1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.30%	16.06%	+1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.93%	21.17%	+2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.93%	20.64%	+3.29%

GK vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

GK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

GK vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

GK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than SPYG's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GK AdvisorShares Gerber Kawasaki ETF	0.07%	0.08%	0.00%	0.13%	1.30%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.47%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GK and SPYG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, GK and SPYG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, GK or SPYG?

GK has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to SPYG (4.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GK dropped -47.72% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which ETF is better, GK or SPYG?

On 3-year performance, SPYG leads with 28.16% vs 20.83% for GK. On fees, SPYG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SPYG has been the lower-risk option at 4.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GK or SPYG?

Over the 3-year period, SPYG has performed better with a 28.16% return vs 20.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GK or SPYG?

SPYG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GK or SPYG?

SPYG has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.07% for GK.

What is the main difference between GK and SPYG?

GK is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYG is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GK and 0.04% for SPYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 2.00), 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.