ROBO vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

ROBO (ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROBO is a Robotics fund tracking the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROBO returned 13.24%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROBO charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ROBO vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) 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, ROBO achieves a 24.08% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.09% return. Over the past 10 years, ROBO has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.24%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.48% annualized return.

ROBO

• 1D: 2.48%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 24.08%
• 6M: 24.69%
• 1Y: 53.50%
• 3Y*: 13.69%
• 5Y*: 6.67%
• 10Y*: 13.24%

SPY

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 10.09%
• 6M: 10.30%
• 1Y: 27.05%
• 3Y*: 20.82%
• 5Y*: 14.00%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

ROBO vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	24.08%	23.71%	-1.28%	23.74%	-33.92%	15.34%	45.26%	29.51%	-20.92%	44.26%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.09%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBO and SPY is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2013	0.83

The correlation between ROBO and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROBO vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBO	SPY
Industrials	45.3%	7.8%
Technology	43.6%	39.0%
Healthcare	4.6%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	3.1%	9.9%
Financial Services	1.9%	11.1%
Communication Services	1.4%	10.6%
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	4.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

ROBO vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROBO

ROBO Risk / Return Rank: 64
ROBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ROBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
ROBO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ROBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ROBO Martin Ratio Rank: 65

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

ROBO vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) 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.

	ROBO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.17	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.92	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.02	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.31	13.61	-2.30

ROBO vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBO Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBO 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

ROBO vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBO drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBO and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBO	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.65%	-55.19%	+11.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.35%	-8.88%	-8.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.92%	-18.76%	-9.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.65%	-24.50%	-19.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.65%	-33.72%	-9.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.80%	-1.44%	-3.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-9.04%	-3.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.59%	1.97%	+2.62%

Volatility

ROBO vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) has a higher volatility of 10.88% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.73%. This indicates that ROBO'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

	ROBO	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.88%	4.73%	+6.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.09%	9.81%	+10.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.67%	12.41%	+12.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.98%	17.15%	+6.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.32%	17.98%	+5.34%

ROBO vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBO vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ROBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.34%, less than SPY's 1.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	0.34%	0.42%	0.55%	0.05%	0.00%	0.18%	0.20%	0.37%	0.37%	0.02%	0.19%	0.28%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 ROBO and SPY in my portfolio?

ROBO and SPY have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROBO or SPY?

ROBO has higher volatility (10.88%) compared to SPY (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBO dropped -43.65% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, ROBO or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.48% vs 13.24% for ROBO. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROBO or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.48% return vs 13.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBO or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ROBO.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.34% for ROBO.

What is the main difference between ROBO and SPY?

ROBO is categorized as Robotics, while SPY is S&P 500. ROBO tracks ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ROBO and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.11), 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.