JEPQ vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JEPQ returned 19.79%/yr vs 20.68%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JEPQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

JEPQ vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) 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 investments are quite close, with JEPQ having a 7.85% return and SPY slightly higher at 8.15%.

JEPQ

• 1D: -2.48%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 6M: 7.02%
• 1Y: 25.10%
• 3Y*: 19.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

JEPQ vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	7.85%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-6.95%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPQ and SPY is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.92

The correlation between JEPQ and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

JEPQ vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JEPQ	SPY
Technology	58.9%	39.0%
Communication Services	13.9%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	4.5%
Healthcare	3.9%	8.3%
Industrials	2.8%	7.8%
Utilities	1.1%	2.1%
Basic Materials	0.9%	1.7%
Financial Services	0.3%	11.1%
Energy	0.3%	3.1%
Real Estate	0.2%	1.8%

Return for Risk

JEPQ vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 63
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 66
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

JEPQ vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) 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.

	JEPQ	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.90	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.58	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	2.67	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	11.92	+1.63

JEPQ vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPQ 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

JEPQ vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPQ drawdown since its inception was -20.07%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPQ and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPQ	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.07%	-55.19%	+35.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-8.88%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.07%	-18.76%	-1.31%
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	-2.48%	-3.17%	+0.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.40%	-9.04%	+5.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.86%	1.98%	-0.12%

Volatility

JEPQ vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a higher volatility of 6.27% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that JEPQ'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

	JEPQ	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	4.87%	+1.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.58%	9.85%	+0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.08%	12.50%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.79%	17.15%	-0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.79%	17.95%	-1.16%

JEPQ vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEPQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEPQ vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.22%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.22%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 JEPQ and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, JEPQ and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, JEPQ or SPY?

JEPQ has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPQ dropped -20.07% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, JEPQ or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.68% vs 19.79% for JEPQ. 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, JEPQ or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.68% return vs 19.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEPQ or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for JEPQ.

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

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.22%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between JEPQ and SPY?

JEPQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPY is S&P 500. JEPQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for JEPQ and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.90), 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.