LEGIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

LEGIX (BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - LEGIX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, LEGIX returned 8.93%/yr vs 12.99%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LEGIX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LEGIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund (LEGIX) 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, LEGIX achieves a 9.82% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.25% return.

LEGIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.20%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 6M: 8.92%
• 1Y: 22.95%
• 3Y*: 17.60%
• 5Y*: 8.93%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -1.92%
• YTD: 8.25%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 22.29%
• 3Y*: 20.89%
• 5Y*: 12.99%
• 10Y*: 15.75%

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

LEGIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LEGIX BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund	9.82%	20.22%	12.41%	20.84%	-18.60%	19.76%	13.65%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.25%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	11.56%

Correlation

The correlation between LEGIX and SPY is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 18, 2020	0.95

The correlation between LEGIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LEGIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LEGIX

LEGIX Risk / Return Rank: 58
LEGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
LEGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
LEGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
LEGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
LEGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

LEGIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund (LEGIX) 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.

	LEGIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.80	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.46	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	2.52	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.71	11.15	-0.44

LEGIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LEGIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LEGIX 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

LEGIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LEGIX drawdown since its inception was -27.07%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEGIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LEGIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.07%	-55.19%	+28.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.20%	-8.88%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.97%	-18.76%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.07%	-24.50%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-3.08%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.68%	-9.03%	+3.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	2.00%	+0.12%

Volatility

LEGIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund (LEGIX) has a higher volatility of 5.11% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.79%. This indicates that LEGIX'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

	LEGIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	4.79%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	9.80%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	12.43%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.66%	17.15%	-1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.48%	17.95%	-2.47%

LEGIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LEGIX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LEGIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LEGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, more than SPY's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LEGIX BlackRock LifePath ESG Index 2050 Fund	1.51%	1.66%	0.00%	2.11%	1.92%	2.50%	0.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	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 LEGIX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, LEGIX 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, LEGIX or SPY?

LEGIX has higher volatility (5.11%) compared to SPY (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEGIX dropped -27.07% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LEGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.80), 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.