NFTY vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NFTY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NFTY returned 8.03%/yr vs 15.42%/yr for SPY. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFTY charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

NFTY vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) 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, NFTY achieves a -8.77% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.07% return. Over the past 10 years, NFTY has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 8.03%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.42% annualized return.

NFTY

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: -8.77%
• 6M: -6.62%
• 1Y: -8.71%
• 3Y*: 5.86%
• 5Y*: 5.00%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.27%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

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

NFTY vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	-8.77%	5.47%	5.18%	24.00%	-3.46%	26.83%	10.04%	0.58%	-1.51%	21.78%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NFTY and SPY is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2012	0.35

The correlation between NFTY and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (all time) to 0.48 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NFTY vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NFTY	SPY
Financial Services	21.2%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	10.3%
Basic Materials	12.5%	1.8%
Healthcare	9.7%	8.4%
Technology	9.2%	35.9%
Energy	8.5%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	4.8%
Industrials	8.3%	7.8%
Utilities	4.0%	2.4%
Communication Services	2.0%	11.3%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

NFTY vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFTY

NFTY Risk / Return Rank: 4
NFTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
NFTY Omega Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
NFTY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

NFTY vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) 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.

	NFTY	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.60	1.98	-2.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.80	2.68	-3.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.36	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.54	2.74	-3.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.36	12.39	-13.75

NFTY vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFTY Sharpe Ratio is -0.60, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFTY 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

NFTY vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFTY drawdown since its inception was -47.67%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFTY and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFTY	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.67%	-55.19%	+7.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.14%	-8.88%	-7.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.55%	-18.76%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.55%	-24.50%	+2.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.67%	-33.72%	-13.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.61%	-2.35%	-14.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.59%	-9.04%	-0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.41%	1.97%	+4.44%

Volatility

NFTY vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) is 3.61%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.34%. This indicates that NFTY 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

	NFTY	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	4.34%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.47%	9.58%	+2.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	12.29%	+2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.38%	17.12%	+0.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.71%	17.96%	+2.75%

NFTY vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFTY has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFTY vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

NFTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFTY First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF	1.94%	1.24%	1.61%	0.13%	5.89%	1.53%	0.61%	0.97%	0.00%	4.10%	3.28%	4.39%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 NFTY and SPY in my portfolio?

NFTY and SPY have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NFTY or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to NFTY (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFTY dropped -47.67% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, NFTY or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.42% vs 8.03% for NFTY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, NFTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NFTY or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.42% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NFTY or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for NFTY.

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

NFTY has the higher dividend yield at 1.94%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between NFTY and SPY?

NFTY is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. NFTY tracks NIFTY 50 Equal Weight Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for NFTY and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs -0.59), 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.