PEOPX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PEOPX (BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from BNY Mellon and State Street respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PEOPX returned 15.12%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PEOPX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

PEOPX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund (PEOPX) 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, PEOPX achieves a 9.54% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PEOPX having a 15.12% annualized return and SPY not far ahead at 15.53%.

PEOPX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 8.54%
• 1Y: 24.95%
• 3Y*: 20.88%
• 5Y*: 13.09%
• 10Y*: 15.12%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

PEOPX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEOPX BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund	9.54%	17.33%	24.50%	25.78%	-18.67%	28.25%	17.83%	30.96%	-6.01%	21.26%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between PEOPX and SPY is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.98

The correlation between PEOPX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEOPX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEOPX

PEOPX Risk / Return Rank: 62
PEOPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PEOPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PEOPX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
PEOPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
PEOPX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

PEOPX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund (PEOPX) 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.

	PEOPX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.90	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.58	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	2.67	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.17	11.92	+1.25

PEOPX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEOPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEOPX 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

PEOPX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEOPX drawdown since its inception was -57.45%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEOPX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEOPX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.45%	-55.19%	-2.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-8.88%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.80%	-18.76%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.79%	-24.50%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.85%	-33.72%	-0.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.76%	-3.17%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.50%	-9.04%	-1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	1.98%	+0.01%

Volatility

PEOPX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund (PEOPX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.68% and 4.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEOPX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	4.87%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.84%	9.85%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.50%	12.50%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.01%	17.15%	-0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.01%	17.95%	+0.06%

PEOPX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEOPX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEOPX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

PEOPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.45%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PEOPX BNY Mellon S&P 500 Index Fund	9.45%	10.35%	10.38%	7.35%	11.78%	12.89%	11.94%	14.37%	14.75%	9.21%	10.90%	7.81%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	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 PEOPX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, PEOPX 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, PEOPX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to PEOPX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEOPX dropped -57.45% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEOPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.90), 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.