POLIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

POLIX (Polen Growth Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - POLIX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Polen Capital, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, POLIX returned 12.11%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. POLIX charges 0.96%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

POLIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) 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, POLIX achieves a -12.42% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, POLIX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 12.11%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

POLIX

• 1D: -1.91%
• 1M: -4.10%
• YTD: -12.42%
• 6M: -13.12%
• 1Y: -8.36%
• 3Y*: 7.69%
• 5Y*: 0.85%
• 10Y*: 12.11%

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)

POLIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POLIX Polen Growth Fund	-12.42%	3.87%	22.57%	39.17%	-38.36%	23.51%	33.25%	37.34%	7.74%	26.47%
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 POLIX and SPY is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2010	0.86

The correlation between POLIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POLIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

POLIX

POLIX Risk / Return Rank: 1
POLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
POLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

POLIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) 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.

	POLIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.49	1.90	-2.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.56	2.58	-3.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.34	-0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.36	2.67	-3.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.84	11.92	-12.76

POLIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POLIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.49, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POLIX 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

POLIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POLIX drawdown since its inception was -42.84%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POLIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	POLIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.84%	-55.19%	+12.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.94%	-8.88%	-15.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.94%	-18.76%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.84%	-24.50%	-18.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.84%	-33.72%	-9.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.21%	-3.17%	-13.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.10%	-9.04%	+1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.05%	1.98%	+8.07%

Volatility

POLIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Polen Growth Fund (POLIX) has a higher volatility of 6.59% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that POLIX'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

	POLIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	4.87%	+1.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.97%	9.85%	+4.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.39%	12.50%	+4.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.06%	17.15%	+5.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.95%	17.95%	+4.00%

POLIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

POLIX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

POLIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

POLIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 41.51%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POLIX Polen Growth Fund	41.51%	36.35%	10.47%	0.00%	10.54%	3.97%	1.25%	0.12%	2.77%	1.66%	0.01%	4.29%
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 POLIX and SPY in my portfolio?

POLIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POLIX or SPY?

POLIX has higher volatility (6.59%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POLIX dropped -42.84% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs -0.49), 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.