IDUB vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IDUB (Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IDUB is a Long-Short fund actively managed by Aptus, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. IDUB is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IDUB returned 17.49%/yr vs 20.68%/yr for SPY. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDUB charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

IDUB vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF (IDUB) 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, IDUB achieves a 14.34% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return.

IDUB

• 1D: -2.69%
• 1M: 0.48%
• YTD: 14.34%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.78%
• 3Y*: 17.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

IDUB vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IDUB Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF	14.34%	27.53%	6.12%	9.07%	-19.79%	-1.16%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	9.80%

Correlation

The correlation between IDUB and SPY is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2021	0.71

The correlation between IDUB and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDUB vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDUB	SPY
Financial Services	22.3%	11.1%
Technology	18.1%	39.0%
Industrials	16.1%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	9.9%
Basic Materials	7.6%	1.7%
Healthcare	7.1%	8.3%
Energy	5.2%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.5%
Communication Services	4.4%	10.6%
Utilities	3.2%	2.1%
Real Estate	2.6%	1.8%

Return for Risk

IDUB vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDUB

IDUB Risk / Return Rank: 63
IDUB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
IDUB Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IDUB Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IDUB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IDUB Martin Ratio Rank: 64

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

IDUB vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF (IDUB) 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.

	IDUB	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.90	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.58	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.34	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	2.67	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.92	11.92	-1.00

IDUB vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDUB Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDUB 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

IDUB vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDUB drawdown since its inception was -29.20%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDUB and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDUB	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.20%	-55.19%	+25.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.46%	-8.88%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.88%	-18.76%	+5.88%
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	-2.69%	-3.17%	+0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.06%	-9.04%	-2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	1.98%	+0.94%

Volatility

IDUB vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF (IDUB) has a higher volatility of 6.55% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that IDUB'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

	IDUB	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.55%	4.87%	+1.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.22%	9.85%	+4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.44%	12.50%	+3.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.80%	17.15%	-2.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.80%	17.95%	-3.15%

IDUB vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDUB has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDUB vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

IDUB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDUB Aptus International Enhanced Yield ETF	5.06%	4.90%	5.64%	3.71%	2.62%	1.38%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 IDUB and SPY in my portfolio?

IDUB and SPY have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDUB or SPY?

IDUB has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDUB dropped -29.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, IDUB or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.68% vs 17.49% for IDUB. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDUB or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.68% return vs 17.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDUB or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for IDUB.

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

IDUB has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between IDUB and SPY?

IDUB is categorized as Long-Short, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Aptus and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for IDUB and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDUB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.90), 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.