IHAK vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IHAK (iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IHAK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Cyber Security Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IHAK returned 4.93%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IHAK charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

IHAK vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF (IHAK) 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, IHAK achieves a 13.38% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return.

IHAK

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: -2.63%
• YTD: 13.38%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 5.97%
• 3Y*: 14.38%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 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)

IHAK vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IHAK iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF	13.38%	-1.29%	7.60%	37.77%	-25.81%	11.13%	51.22%	6.48%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	13.22%

Correlation

The correlation between IHAK and SPY is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2019	0.70

The correlation between IHAK and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IHAK vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IHAK	SPY
Technology	95.8%	39.0%
Industrials	3.2%	7.8%
Communication Services	0.4%	10.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Financial Services	-	11.1%
Healthcare	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

IHAK vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHAK

IHAK Risk / Return Rank: 12
IHAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
IHAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
IHAK Omega Ratio Rank: 12
IHAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
IHAK Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

IHAK vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF (IHAK) 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.

	IHAK	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.25	1.90	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	2.58	-2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.34	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	2.67	-2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.59	11.92	-11.33

IHAK vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHAK Sharpe Ratio is 0.25, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHAK 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

IHAK vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHAK drawdown since its inception was -34.42%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHAK and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHAK	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.42%	-55.19%	+20.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.48%	-8.88%	-14.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.48%	-18.76%	-4.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.42%	-24.50%	-9.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.59%	-3.17%	-7.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.74%	-9.04%	-1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.17%	1.98%	+8.19%

Volatility

IHAK vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF (IHAK) has a higher volatility of 10.23% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that IHAK'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

	IHAK	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.23%	4.87%	+5.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.48%	9.85%	+10.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.47%	12.50%	+11.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.66%	17.15%	+6.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.40%	17.95%	+6.45%

IHAK vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IHAK has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IHAK vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

IHAK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%, less than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHAK iShares Cybersecurity & Tech ETF	0.08%	0.08%	0.20%	0.13%	0.25%	0.50%	0.40%	0.50%	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 IHAK and SPY in my portfolio?

IHAK and SPY have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IHAK or SPY?

IHAK has higher volatility (10.23%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHAK dropped -34.42% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, IHAK or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.05% vs 4.93% for IHAK. 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, IHAK or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 4.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHAK or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IHAK.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.08% for IHAK.

What is the main difference between IHAK and SPY?

IHAK is categorized as Technology Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. IHAK tracks NYSE FactSet Global Cyber Security Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IHAK and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 0.25), 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.