IFV vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IFV (First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IFV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dorsey Wright International Focus Five Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IFV returned 7.40%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IFV charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

IFV vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with IFV having a 8.29% return and SPY slightly lower at 8.15%. Over the past 10 years, IFV has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 7.40%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

IFV

• 1D: -3.58%
• 1M: -2.64%
• YTD: 8.29%
• 6M: 8.20%
• 1Y: 22.90%
• 3Y*: 17.23%
• 5Y*: 4.13%
• 10Y*: 7.40%

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)

IFV vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	8.29%	32.26%	0.33%	20.45%	-25.39%	5.59%	6.15%	26.29%	-20.44%	32.58%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between IFV and SPY is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2014	0.66

The correlation between IFV and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (3 years) to 0.73 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IFV vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IFV	SPY
Industrials	30.7%	7.8%
Financial Services	11.2%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	9.9%
Basic Materials	9.8%	1.7%
Technology	9.5%	39.0%
Energy	7.8%	3.1%
Real Estate	5.8%	1.8%
Utilities	5.1%	2.1%
Healthcare	3.9%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	4.5%
Communication Services	2.5%	10.6%

Return for Risk

IFV vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFV

IFV Risk / Return Rank: 40
IFV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
IFV Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
IFV Omega Ratio Rank: 41
IFV Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
IFV Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

IFV vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) 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.

	IFV	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.90	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.58	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.34	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	2.67	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.73	11.92	-5.19

IFV vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFV Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFV 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

IFV vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFV drawdown since its inception was -48.89%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFV and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFV	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.89%	-55.19%	+6.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.57%	-8.88%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-18.76%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.78%	-24.50%	-10.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.89%	-33.72%	-15.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.38%	-3.17%	-2.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.19%	-9.04%	-4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	1.98%	+1.43%

Volatility

IFV vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) has a higher volatility of 7.42% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that IFV'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

	IFV	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.42%	4.87%	+2.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.99%	9.85%	+5.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.40%	12.50%	+4.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.19%	17.15%	+1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.61%	17.95%	+2.66%

IFV vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFV has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFV vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

IFV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.84%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFV First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF	1.84%	1.95%	2.31%	2.88%	3.79%	1.04%	1.53%	2.91%	1.86%	1.43%	1.10%	1.52%
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 IFV and SPY in my portfolio?

IFV and SPY have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFV or SPY?

IFV has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFV dropped -48.89% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, IFV or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.53% vs 7.40% for IFV. 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, IFV or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 7.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFV or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for IFV.

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

IFV has the higher dividend yield at 1.84%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between IFV and SPY?

IFV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. IFV tracks Dorsey Wright International Focus Five Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for IFV and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.33), 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.