JAVA vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

JAVA (JPMorgan Active Value ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JAVA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by JPMorgan, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. JAVA is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JAVA returned 16.97%/yr vs 21.27%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JAVA charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

JAVA vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) 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, JAVA achieves a 11.13% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

JAVA

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 11.13%
• 6M: 10.24%
• 1Y: 25.84%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

JAVA vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
JAVA JPMorgan Active Value ETF	11.13%	14.92%	15.52%	10.46%	-0.88%	5.02%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	11.20%

Correlation

The correlation between JAVA and SPY is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2021	0.83

The correlation between JAVA and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

JAVA vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JAVA	SPY
Financial Services	19.1%	11.1%
Technology	18.1%	39.0%
Industrials	14.2%	7.8%
Healthcare	12.3%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.9%
Communication Services	7.7%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	4.5%
Energy	4.2%	3.1%
Utilities	3.7%	2.1%
Real Estate	3.2%	1.8%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.7%

Return for Risk

JAVA vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

JAVA

JAVA Risk / Return Rank: 69
JAVA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
JAVA Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
JAVA Omega Ratio Rank: 69
JAVA Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
JAVA Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

JAVA vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) 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.

	JAVA	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.16	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.91	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.39	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	3.01	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.51	13.54	-2.02

JAVA vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JAVA Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JAVA 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

JAVA vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JAVA drawdown since its inception was -16.54%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JAVA and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JAVA	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.54%	-55.19%	+38.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.29%	-8.88%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-18.76%	+2.22%
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	-0.36%	-1.75%	+1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.60%	-9.04%	+5.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.25%	1.97%	+0.28%

Volatility

JAVA vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) is 3.86%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that JAVA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JAVA	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.86%	4.64%	-0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.84%	9.75%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.63%	12.43%	-0.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	17.14%	-2.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.81%	17.99%	-3.18%

JAVA vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

JAVA has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JAVA vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

JAVA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JAVA JPMorgan Active Value ETF	1.22%	1.34%	1.45%	1.65%	1.25%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 JAVA and SPY in my portfolio?

JAVA and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JAVA or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to JAVA (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JAVA dropped -16.54% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, JAVA or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 21.27% vs 16.97% for JAVA. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, JAVA has been the lower-risk option at 3.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JAVA or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 21.27% return vs 16.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JAVA or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for JAVA.

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

JAVA has the higher dividend yield at 1.22%, compared with 1.01% for SPY.

What is the main difference between JAVA and SPY?

JAVA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for JAVA and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JAVA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 2.16), 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.