QDIV vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QDIV (Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDIV is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Quality High Dividend Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QDIV returned 6.89%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for SPY. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QDIV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

QDIV vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QDIV having a 7.99% return and SPY slightly higher at 8.15%.

QDIV

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: -0.97%
• YTD: 7.99%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 13.66%
• 3Y*: 9.64%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: —

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)

QDIV vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QDIV Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF	7.99%	3.16%	10.62%	5.18%	-0.50%	28.99%	0.03%	29.00%	-12.20%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-9.60%

Correlation

The correlation between QDIV and SPY is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2018	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between QDIV and SPY has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QDIV vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDIV	SPY
Consumer Defensive	22.0%	4.5%
Industrials	16.3%	7.8%
Healthcare	14.4%	8.3%
Energy	11.5%	3.1%
Technology	10.0%	39.0%
Basic Materials	8.6%	1.7%
Financial Services	7.0%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	9.9%
Communication Services	3.5%	10.6%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

QDIV vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDIV

QDIV Risk / Return Rank: 33
QDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
QDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
QDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
QDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
QDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

QDIV vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) 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.

	QDIV	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.90	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	2.58	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.34	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.72	2.67	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.31	11.92	-7.60

QDIV vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDIV 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

QDIV vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDIV drawdown since its inception was -41.20%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDIV and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDIV	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.20%	-55.19%	+13.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.97%	-8.88%	+0.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.81%	-18.76%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.52%	-24.50%	+5.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.15%	-3.17%	-0.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.53%	-9.04%	+3.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	1.98%	+1.19%

Volatility

QDIV vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) is 3.42%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that QDIV 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

	QDIV	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	4.87%	-1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.08%	9.85%	-1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	12.50%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	17.15%	-1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.38%	17.95%	+1.43%

QDIV vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDIV has a 0.20% 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

QDIV vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

QDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDIV Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF	3.00%	3.13%	2.88%	3.26%	3.02%	2.44%	3.06%	2.84%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 QDIV and SPY in my portfolio?

QDIV and SPY have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDIV or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to QDIV (3.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDIV dropped -41.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, QDIV or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.05% vs 6.89% for QDIV. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, QDIV has been the lower-risk option at 3.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDIV or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 6.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDIV or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for QDIV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QDIV or SPY?

QDIV has the higher dividend yield at 3.00%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between QDIV and SPY?

QDIV is categorized as Dividend, while SPY is S&P 500. QDIV tracks S&P 500 Quality High Dividend Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QDIV and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.14), 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.