INTC vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

INTC (Intel Corporation) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, INTC returned 14.49%/yr vs 15.16%/yr for SPY. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

INTC vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intel Corporation (INTC) 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, INTC achieves a 168.75% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.45% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with INTC having a 14.49% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.16%.

INTC

• 1D: -11.28%
• 1M: -12.25%
• YTD: 168.75%
• 6M: 139.48%
• 1Y: 396.10%
• 3Y*: 48.40%
• 5Y*: 13.56%
• 10Y*: 14.49%

SPY

• 1D: -2.58%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 25.79%
• 3Y*: 21.43%
• 5Y*: 13.32%
• 10Y*: 15.16%

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

INTC vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
INTC Intel Corporation	168.75%	84.04%	-59.57%	94.56%	-46.64%	6.05%	-14.69%	30.71%	4.23%	30.87%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.45%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between INTC and SPY is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.59

The correlation between INTC and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.59 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

INTC vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

INTC

INTC Risk / Return Rank: 98
INTC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
INTC Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
INTC Omega Ratio Rank: 96
INTC Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
INTC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

INTC vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intel Corporation (INTC) 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.

	INTC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.48	2.14	+3.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.74	2.88	+1.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.39	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.52	2.92	+13.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	39.16	13.50	+25.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

INTC vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current INTC Sharpe Ratio is 5.48, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of INTC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	INTC	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.48	2.14	+3.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.78	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.85	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.58	-0.23

Drawdowns

INTC vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum INTC drawdown since its inception was -82.25%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for INTC and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	INTC	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.25%	-55.19%	-27.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.17%	-8.88%	-15.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.80%	-18.76%	-45.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.95%	-24.50%	-41.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.80%	-33.72%	-37.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.39%	-2.90%	-20.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.67%	-9.05%	-27.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.18%	1.91%	+8.27%

Volatility

INTC vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Intel Corporation (INTC) has a higher volatility of 24.54% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 3.73%. This indicates that INTC'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

	INTC	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.54%	3.73%	+20.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.45%	9.31%	+48.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	72.88%	12.12%	+60.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.80%	17.09%	+34.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.91%	17.95%	+25.96%

Dividends

INTC vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

INTC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
INTC Intel Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	1.87%	1.47%	5.52%	2.70%	2.65%	2.11%	2.56%	2.33%	2.87%	2.79%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 INTC and SPY in my portfolio?

INTC and SPY have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, INTC or SPY?

INTC has higher volatility (24.54%) compared to SPY (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, INTC dropped -82.25% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

INTC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.48 vs 2.14), 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.