QCGLIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QCGLIX (CREF Global Equities Account - R3) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - QCGLIX is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI NR USD, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QCGLIX returned 31.37% vs 27.98% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QCGLIX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CREF Global Equities Account - R3 (QCGLIX) 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, QCGLIX achieves a 13.34% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

QCGLIX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 6.08%
• YTD: 13.34%
• 6M: 13.83%
• 1Y: 31.37%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QCGLIX CREF Global Equities Account - R3	13.34%	20.08%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	-1.50%

Correlation

The correlation between QCGLIX and SPY is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2024	0.92

The correlation between QCGLIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QCGLIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCGLIX

QCGLIX Risk / Return Rank: 66
QCGLIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
QCGLIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QCGLIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QCGLIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QCGLIX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CREF Global Equities Account - R3 (QCGLIX) 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.

	QCGLIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.38	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.24	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.16	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.83	14.72	-0.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCGLIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCGLIX 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

	QCGLIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.38	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.56	0.59	+0.98

Drawdowns

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCGLIX drawdown since its inception was -18.15%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCGLIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCGLIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.15%	-55.19%	+37.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.29%	-8.88%	-1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.22%	-9.05%	+6.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	1.91%	+0.38%

Volatility

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

CREF Global Equities Account - R3 (QCGLIX) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that QCGLIX'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

	QCGLIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	2.84%	+1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.64%	8.90%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.30%	11.83%	+1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.89%	17.05%	-1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.89%	17.94%	-2.05%

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QCGLIX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QCGLIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

QCGLIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCGLIX CREF Global Equities Account - R3	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 QCGLIX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, QCGLIX 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, QCGLIX or SPY?

QCGLIX has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCGLIX dropped -18.15% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QCGLIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.38), 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.