LFEQ vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LFEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LFEQ returned 9.91%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LFEQ vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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 LFEQ having a 10.63% return and SPY slightly higher at 10.91%.

LFEQ

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 10.63%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 27.35%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

LFEQ vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	10.63%	10.49%	24.30%	19.66%	-22.05%	27.97%	17.56%	24.07%	-5.55%	5.27%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	5.33%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ and SPY is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2017	0.92

The correlation between LFEQ and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

LFEQ vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LFEQ	SPY
Technology	33.6%	35.9%
Financial Services	12.2%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.5%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	10.3%
Healthcare	9.5%	8.4%
Industrials	8.5%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	4.8%
Energy	4.0%	3.6%
Utilities	2.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.8%

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

LFEQ vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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.

	LFEQ	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.38	-0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	3.24	-0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.16	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	14.72	-0.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LFEQ vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ 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

	LFEQ	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.38	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.82	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.59	+0.09

Drawdowns

LFEQ vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-55.19%	+20.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-8.88%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-18.76%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	-24.50%	-1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	-0.70%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-9.05%	+2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.91%	+0.04%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.90% and 2.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LFEQ	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	2.84%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	8.90%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	11.83%	+0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	17.05%	-2.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.58%	17.94%	-0.36%

LFEQ vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.82%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 LFEQ and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, LFEQ 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, LFEQ or SPY?

LFEQ has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 9.91% for LFEQ. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFEQ or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for LFEQ.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.82% for LFEQ.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and SPY?

LFEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. LFEQ tracks Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.30), 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.