NNI vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NNI (Nelnet, Inc.) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, NNI returned 14.76%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NNI vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nelnet, Inc. (NNI) 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, NNI achieves a -3.46% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NNI having a 14.76% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.49%.

NNI

• 1D: -1.17%
• 1M: -9.19%
• YTD: -3.46%
• 6M: -3.62%
• 1Y: 11.07%
• 3Y*: 10.78%
• 5Y*: 12.47%
• 10Y*: 14.76%

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)

NNI vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NNI Nelnet, Inc.	-3.46%	25.71%	22.41%	-1.64%	-6.04%	38.71%	24.01%	12.66%	-3.32%	9.27%
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%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NNI and SPY is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2003	0.49

The correlation between NNI and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (1 year) to 0.49 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NNI vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NNI

NNI Risk / Return Rank: 54
NNI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
NNI Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NNI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
NNI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
NNI Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

NNI vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nelnet, Inc. (NNI) 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.

	NNI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.46	2.38	-1.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.73	3.24	-2.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.43	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	3.16	-2.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	14.72	-12.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NNI vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NNI Sharpe Ratio is 0.46, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NNI 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

	NNI	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46	2.38	-1.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.82	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.87	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.59	-0.34

Drawdowns

NNI vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NNI drawdown since its inception was -89.95%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NNI and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NNI	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.95%	-55.19%	-34.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.27%	-8.88%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.52%	-18.76%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-24.50%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.04%	-33.72%	-10.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.23%	-0.70%	-10.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.23%	-9.05%	-13.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.24%	1.91%	+3.33%

Volatility

NNI vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Nelnet, Inc. (NNI) has a higher volatility of 15.16% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that NNI'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

	NNI	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.16%	2.84%	+12.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.06%	8.90%	+11.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.02%	11.83%	+12.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.53%	17.05%	+5.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.12%	17.94%	+9.18%

Dividends

NNI vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

NNI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NNI Nelnet, Inc.	1.01%	0.90%	1.05%	1.20%	1.08%	0.92%	1.15%	1.27%	1.26%	1.06%	0.99%	1.25%
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 NNI and SPY in my portfolio?

NNI and SPY have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NNI or SPY?

NNI has higher volatility (15.16%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NNI dropped -89.95% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.46), 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.