ISHP vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ISHP (First Trust S-Network Global E-Commerce ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISHP is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the S-Network Global E-Commerce Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISHP returned 1.58%/yr vs 14.20%/yr for SPY. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISHP charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ISHP vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust S-Network Global E-Commerce ETF (ISHP) 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, ISHP achieves a -10.97% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return.

ISHP

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -1.59%
• YTD: -10.97%
• 6M: -10.01%
• 1Y: -7.50%
• 3Y*: 11.42%
• 5Y*: 1.58%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

ISHP vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISHP First Trust S-Network Global E-Commerce ETF	-10.97%	12.27%	24.17%	22.24%	-33.79%	30.09%	15.33%	19.74%	-2.04%	7.66%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ISHP and SPY is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 12, 2016	0.59

The correlation between ISHP and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (all time) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ISHP vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISHP	SPY
Consumer Cyclical	40.9%	10.3%
Communication Services	24.5%	11.3%
Industrials	13.1%	7.8%
Technology	10.2%	35.9%
Real Estate	4.9%	1.9%
Healthcare	3.0%	8.4%
Financial Services	1.8%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	4.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

ISHP vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISHP

ISHP Risk / Return Rank: 5
ISHP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ISHP Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ISHP Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ISHP Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ISHP Martin Ratio Rank: 6

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

ISHP vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S-Network Global E-Commerce ETF (ISHP) 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.

	ISHP	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.44	2.52	-2.96
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.50	3.42	-3.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.46	-0.52
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	3.42	-3.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.59	15.93	-16.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISHP vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISHP Sharpe Ratio is -0.44, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISHP 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

	ISHP	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.44	2.52	-2.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.84	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.59	-0.29

Drawdowns

ISHP vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISHP drawdown since its inception was -47.57%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISHP and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISHP	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.57%	-55.19%	+7.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.75%	-8.88%	-15.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.75%	-18.76%	-5.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.57%	-24.50%	-23.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.21%	0.00%	-18.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.65%	-9.05%	-3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.39%	1.91%	+9.48%

Volatility

ISHP vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust S-Network Global E-Commerce ETF (ISHP) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that ISHP'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

	ISHP	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	2.75%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.27%	8.89%	+4.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.13%	11.81%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.29%	17.05%	+10.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.09%	17.94%	+6.15%

ISHP vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISHP has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISHP vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ISHP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISHP First Trust S-Network Global E-Commerce ETF	1.50%	1.34%	1.02%	1.58%	0.76%	0.53%	0.82%	1.16%	0.89%	1.65%	0.23%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 ISHP and SPY in my portfolio?

ISHP and SPY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISHP or SPY?

ISHP has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISHP dropped -47.57% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ISHP or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 14.20% vs 1.58% for ISHP. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISHP or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 14.20% return vs 1.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISHP or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for ISHP.

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

ISHP has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between ISHP and SPY?

ISHP is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. ISHP tracks S-Network Global E-Commerce Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for ISHP and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.44), 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.