QDPL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QDPL (Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDPL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Pacer, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. QDPL is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QDPL returned 20.64%/yr vs 22.35%/yr for SPY. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QDPL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

QDPL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) 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 QDPL having a 10.40% return and SPY slightly higher at 10.91%.

QDPL

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 10.40%
• 6M: 10.54%
• 1Y: 26.37%
• 3Y*: 20.64%
• 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)

QDPL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	10.40%	16.52%	22.83%	23.66%	-16.25%	8.32%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	9.77%

Correlation

The correlation between QDPL and SPY is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2021	0.95

The correlation between QDPL and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

QDPL vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDPL	SPY
Technology	27.6%	35.9%
Financial Services	10.3%	11.8%
Communication Services	8.5%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	10.3%
Healthcare	7.6%	8.4%
Industrials	6.3%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	4.8%
Energy	2.4%	3.6%
Utilities	2.1%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.5%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.4%	1.8%

Return for Risk

QDPL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDPL

QDPL Risk / Return Rank: 67
QDPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
QDPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
QDPL Omega Ratio Rank: 66
QDPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QDPL Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

QDPL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) 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.

	QDPL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.38	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.24	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.43	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	3.16	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.37	14.72	-0.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDPL vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDPL Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDPL 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

	QDPL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	2.38	-0.15
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	0.83	0.59	+0.24

Drawdowns

QDPL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDPL drawdown since its inception was -22.59%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDPL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDPL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.59%	-55.19%	+32.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.65%	-8.88%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.75%	-18.76%	+1.01%
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	-0.65%	-0.70%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-9.05%	+3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	1.91%	-0.07%

Volatility

QDPL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL) is 2.69%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that QDPL 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

	QDPL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	2.84%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.00%	8.90%	+0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	11.83%	+0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.01%	17.05%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.01%	17.94%	-2.93%

QDPL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDPL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDPL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

QDPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.05%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDPL Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF	5.05%	4.84%	5.43%	6.30%	7.27%	2.44%	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 QDPL and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, QDPL 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, QDPL or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to QDPL (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDPL dropped -22.59% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, QDPL or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 22.35% vs 20.64% for QDPL. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, QDPL has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDPL or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 22.35% return vs 20.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDPL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QDPL.

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

QDPL has the higher dividend yield at 5.05%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between QDPL and SPY?

QDPL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QDPL and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.23), 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.