GPSTX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

GPSTX (GuidePath Growth Allocation Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - GPSTX is a Global Equities fund managed by GuideMark, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, GPSTX returned 12.06%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GPSTX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

GPSTX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GuidePath Growth Allocation Fund (GPSTX) 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, GPSTX achieves a 11.67% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, GPSTX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 12.06%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

GPSTX

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 11.67%
• 6M: 11.23%
• 1Y: 28.11%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 10.42%
• 10Y*: 12.06%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

GPSTX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GPSTX GuidePath Growth Allocation Fund	11.67%	19.64%	17.49%	24.10%	-22.19%	19.33%	19.40%	25.67%	-10.35%	21.98%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between GPSTX and SPY is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012	0.95

The correlation between GPSTX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GPSTX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GPSTX

GPSTX Risk / Return Rank: 57
GPSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
GPSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
GPSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
GPSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
GPSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

GPSTX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GuidePath Growth Allocation Fund (GPSTX) 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.

	GPSTX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.16	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.91	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.39	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	3.01	-0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.29	13.54	-1.24

GPSTX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GPSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GPSTX 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

GPSTX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GPSTX drawdown since its inception was -33.18%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GPSTX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GPSTX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.18%	-55.19%	+22.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.92%	-8.88%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.04%	-18.76%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.30%	-24.50%	-5.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.18%	-33.72%	+0.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-1.75%	+1.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-9.04%	+3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	1.97%	+0.28%

Volatility

GPSTX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

GuidePath Growth Allocation Fund (GPSTX) has a higher volatility of 5.43% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that GPSTX'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

	GPSTX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.43%	4.64%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.29%	9.75%	+1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.83%	12.43%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	17.14%	+0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.37%	17.99%	-0.62%

GPSTX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GPSTX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GPSTX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

GPSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.25%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GPSTX GuidePath Growth Allocation Fund	4.25%	4.75%	4.45%	2.00%	4.13%	2.65%	1.82%	1.11%	1.40%	12.56%	4.21%	2.98%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 GPSTX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, GPSTX and SPY 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, GPSTX or SPY?

GPSTX has higher volatility (5.43%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GPSTX dropped -33.18% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.01), 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.