NBSSX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NBSSX (Neuberger Berman Focus Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - NBSSX is a Global Equities fund managed by Neuberger Berman, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, NBSSX returned 11.23%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NBSSX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

NBSSX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Focus Fund (NBSSX) 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, NBSSX achieves a 6.88% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, NBSSX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.23%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

NBSSX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 6.28%
• YTD: 6.88%
• 6M: 8.24%
• 1Y: 22.65%
• 3Y*: 19.98%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

NBSSX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NBSSX Neuberger Berman Focus Fund	6.88%	21.36%	21.64%	23.73%	-31.74%	19.85%	24.45%	28.50%	-9.02%	19.39%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NBSSX and SPY is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.88

The correlation between NBSSX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NBSSX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBSSX

NBSSX Risk / Return Rank: 32
NBSSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
NBSSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
NBSSX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
NBSSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NBSSX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

NBSSX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Focus Fund (NBSSX) 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.

	NBSSX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.52	-0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	3.42	-0.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.46	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	3.42	-1.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.42	15.93	-8.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NBSSX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBSSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBSSX 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

	NBSSX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.52	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.84	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.87	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.59	-0.20

Drawdowns

NBSSX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBSSX drawdown since its inception was -61.56%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBSSX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBSSX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.56%	-55.19%	-6.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.61%	-8.88%	-3.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.39%	-18.76%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.77%	-24.50%	-16.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.77%	-33.72%	-7.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.03%	-9.05%	-3.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	1.91%	+1.27%

Volatility

NBSSX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Neuberger Berman Focus Fund (NBSSX) has a higher volatility of 4.18% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that NBSSX'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

	NBSSX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.18%	2.75%	+1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.65%	8.89%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.68%	11.81%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.88%	17.05%	+1.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.19%	17.94%	+1.25%

NBSSX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBSSX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBSSX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

NBSSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.15%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NBSSX Neuberger Berman Focus Fund	9.15%	9.78%	0.19%	0.59%	0.05%	19.35%	5.37%	12.78%	9.08%	8.32%	9.59%	5.18%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 NBSSX and SPY in my portfolio?

NBSSX and SPY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBSSX or SPY?

NBSSX has higher volatility (4.18%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBSSX dropped -61.56% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.73), 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.