GL vs. SPY
Compare and contrast key facts about Globe Life Inc. (GL) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).
SPY is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Jan 22, 1993.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: GL or SPY.
Correlation
The correlation between GL and SPY is 0.58, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

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GL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison
Key characteristics
GL:
0.08
SPY:
-0.19
GL:
0.62
SPY:
-0.14
GL:
1.18
SPY:
0.98
GL:
0.09
SPY:
-0.16
GL:
0.37
SPY:
-0.82
GL:
14.89%
SPY:
3.68%
GL:
66.06%
SPY:
15.87%
GL:
-75.34%
SPY:
-55.19%
GL:
-14.70%
SPY:
-18.76%
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GL achieves a 2.01% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's -15.03% return. Over the past 10 years, GL has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 8.26%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 10.91% annualized return.
GL
2.01%
-9.54%
9.22%
6.04%
8.05%
8.26%
SPY
-15.03%
-13.53%
-12.83%
-3.07%
13.99%
10.91%
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Risk-Adjusted Performance
GL vs. SPY — Risk-Adjusted Performance Rank
GL
SPY
GL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Globe Life Inc. (GL) and 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.
Dividends
GL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison
GL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than SPY's 1.44% yield.
TTM | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GL Globe Life Inc. | 0.81% | 0.85% | 0.73% | 0.68% | 0.83% | 0.78% | 0.65% | 0.85% | 0.65% | 0.75% | 0.71% | 0.94% |
SPY SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 1.31% | 1.21% | 1.40% | 1.65% | 1.20% | 1.52% | 1.75% | 2.04% | 1.80% | 2.03% | 2.06% | 1.87% |
Drawdowns
GL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GL drawdown since its inception was -75.34%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GL and SPY. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
GL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison
Globe Life Inc. (GL) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 13.94% and 13.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
User Portfolios with GL or SPY
Recent discussions
Dividend Paying Stock Portfolio
4803heights
Discrepancy between SPY and ^GSPC?
Hello, from the charts, SPY seems to be outperforming its benchmark ^GSPC. That looks strange. From my understanding, SPY is designed to closely track the S&P 500.
Could there be an error in the charts?
Hedge Cat
calculation of performance
Portfolio performance graph for past 1Y (thru 3/13/2025):
GLD=37.82%
IAU=37.97%
IAUM=38.34%
using daily adjusted closing market price (from NASDAQ) integrating the logarithmic daily rate of return between 3/13/2025 to 3/14/2025 to calculate the cumulative rate of return, I calculate
GLD=31.34%
IAU=31.45%
IAUM=31.66%
These ETF's do not pay a dividend, Expense cost is included in the closing price.
The difference in rate of return is about 6%, which is too large. I can send you my calculation (xls) if this would be useful.
What is causing the error?
Marcus Crahan