LIKKX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

LIKKX (BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Fund Class K) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - LIKKX is a Target Retirement Date fund tracking the BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Custom Benchmark, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LIKKX returned 10.18%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LIKKX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LIKKX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Fund Class K (LIKKX) 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 LIKKX having a 9.40% return and SPY slightly higher at 9.74%. Over the past 10 years, LIKKX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 10.18%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

LIKKX

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.47%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 6M: 9.26%
• 1Y: 22.43%
• 3Y*: 14.61%
• 5Y*: 8.00%
• 10Y*: 10.18%

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)

LIKKX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LIKKX BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Fund Class K	9.40%	17.65%	9.85%	18.59%	-17.66%	15.98%	13.37%	25.02%	-7.07%	19.95%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between LIKKX and SPY is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2011	0.95

The correlation between LIKKX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LIKKX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LIKKX

LIKKX Risk / Return Rank: 67
LIKKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
LIKKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
LIKKX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
LIKKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
LIKKX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

LIKKX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Fund Class K (LIKKX) 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.

	LIKKX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	2.16	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	2.91	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.39	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	3.01	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.92	13.54	-0.61

LIKKX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LIKKX Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LIKKX 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

LIKKX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LIKKX drawdown since its inception was -31.13%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LIKKX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LIKKX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.13%	-55.19%	+24.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.37%	-8.88%	+1.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-18.76%	+4.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.02%	-24.50%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.13%	-33.72%	+2.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-1.75%	+1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.18%	-9.04%	+4.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	1.97%	-0.26%

Volatility

LIKKX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Fund Class K (LIKKX) is 4.05%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that LIKKX 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

	LIKKX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	4.64%	-0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.49%	9.75%	-1.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.14%	12.43%	-2.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.17%	17.14%	-3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.42%	17.99%	-3.57%

LIKKX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LIKKX has a 0.09% 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

LIKKX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LIKKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LIKKX BlackRock LifePath Index 2040 Fund Class K	2.99%	3.27%	0.01%	2.33%	2.36%	2.40%	1.16%	3.40%	2.45%	2.33%	1.70%	3.30%
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 LIKKX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, LIKKX 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, LIKKX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to LIKKX (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LIKKX dropped -31.13% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LIKKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 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.