REGL vs. SDY

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

REGL (ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - REGL tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats Index while SDY tracks the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REGL returned 9.74%/yr vs 9.64%/yr for SDY. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. REGL charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDY.

Performance

REGL vs. SDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REGL achieves a 8.74% return, which is significantly lower than SDY's 10.00% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with REGL having a 9.74% annualized return and SDY not far behind at 9.64%.

REGL

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: 8.74%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 13.76%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: 9.74%

SDY

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: 10.00%
• 6M: 9.06%
• 1Y: 14.84%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 6.95%
• 10Y*: 9.64%

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

REGL vs. SDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
REGL ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF	8.74%	6.89%	12.26%	5.41%	-0.62%	20.38%	7.50%	18.79%	-3.25%	10.17%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	10.00%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	23.29%	-2.74%	15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between REGL and SDY is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2015	0.91

The correlation between REGL and SDY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

REGL vs. SDY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REGL	SDY
Financial Services	31.0%	11.9%
Industrials	15.2%	17.1%
Utilities	13.7%	14.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	5.9%
Basic Materials	9.2%	5.9%
Real Estate	7.8%	4.4%
Healthcare	4.6%	7.4%
Energy	3.1%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	16.1%
Technology	1.9%	11.8%
Communication Services	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

REGL vs. SDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

REGL

REGL Risk / Return Rank: 32
REGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
REGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
REGL Omega Ratio Rank: 29
REGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
REGL Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 43
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

REGL vs. SDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). 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.

	REGL	SDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	1.43	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	2.18	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.25	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	1.94	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.44	5.22	-0.78

REGL vs. SDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REGL Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is comparable to the SDY Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REGL and SDY, 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

REGL vs. SDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REGL drawdown since its inception was -36.37%, smaller than the maximum SDY drawdown of -54.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REGL and SDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	REGL	SDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.37%	-54.75%	+18.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-7.67%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.96%	-14.39%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.96%	-15.21%	-1.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.37%	-36.70%	+0.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-1.83%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.08%	-6.20%	+2.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	2.85%	+0.26%

Volatility

REGL vs. SDY - Volatility Comparison

ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (REGL) has a higher volatility of 3.57% compared to SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) at 3.07%. This indicates that REGL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REGL	SDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	3.07%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.30%	7.57%	+1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.16%	10.42%	+2.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.06%	13.99%	+2.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	17.07%	+1.25%

REGL vs. SDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

REGL has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SDY's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

REGL vs. SDY - Dividend Comparison

REGL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, less than SDY's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
REGL ProShares S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats ETF	2.14%	2.32%	2.28%	2.40%	2.32%	2.50%	2.41%	1.96%	2.09%	1.63%	1.20%	1.66%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.47%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REGL and SDY in my portfolio?

REGL and SDY have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REGL or SDY?

REGL has higher volatility (3.57%) compared to SDY (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REGL dropped -36.37% vs SDY's -54.75%.

Which ETF is better, REGL or SDY?

On 10-year performance, REGL leads with 9.74% vs 9.64% for SDY. On fees, SDY is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SDY has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REGL or SDY?

Over the 10-year period, REGL has performed better with a 9.74% return vs 9.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REGL or SDY?

SDY is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for REGL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, REGL or SDY?

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.47%, compared with 2.14% for REGL.

What is the main difference between REGL and SDY?

REGL tracks S&P MidCap 400 Dividend Aristocrats Index, while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for REGL and 0.35% for SDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.05), 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.