NSOIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NSOIX (North Star Opportunity Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - NSOIX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by North Star, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, NSOIX returned 9.29%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NSOIX charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

NSOIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in North Star Opportunity Fund (NSOIX) 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, NSOIX achieves a 9.15% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, NSOIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.29%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

NSOIX

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 9.15%
• 6M: 8.85%
• 1Y: 27.89%
• 3Y*: 13.22%
• 5Y*: 5.33%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

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)

NSOIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSOIX North Star Opportunity Fund	9.15%	12.60%	10.84%	13.65%	-23.08%	20.83%	17.57%	26.61%	-10.18%	11.91%
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 NSOIX and SPY is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2011	0.87

The correlation between NSOIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NSOIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSOIX

NSOIX Risk / Return Rank: 83
NSOIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
NSOIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
NSOIX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NSOIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
NSOIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

NSOIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for North Star Opportunity Fund (NSOIX) 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.

	NSOIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.16	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	2.91	+0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.39	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.01	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.31	13.54	+0.77

NSOIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSOIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSOIX 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

NSOIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSOIX drawdown since its inception was -33.29%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSOIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSOIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.29%	-55.19%	+21.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.38%	-8.88%	+1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.24%	-18.76%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.89%	-24.50%	-3.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.29%	-33.72%	+0.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-1.75%	+1.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.49%	-9.04%	+2.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.97%	+0.01%

Volatility

NSOIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for North Star Opportunity Fund (NSOIX) is 3.66%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that NSOIX 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

	NSOIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	4.64%	-0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.02%	9.75%	-1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.80%	12.43%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.60%	17.14%	-2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.62%	17.99%	-2.37%

NSOIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSOIX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSOIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

NSOIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.69%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NSOIX North Star Opportunity Fund	5.69%	6.13%	4.08%	2.66%	4.68%	2.38%	0.52%	1.36%	6.81%	1.62%	1.03%	2.53%
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 NSOIX and SPY in my portfolio?

NSOIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSOIX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to NSOIX (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSOIX dropped -33.29% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSOIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 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.