RYLD vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RYLD (Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RYLD is a Hedge Fund fund tracking the CBOE Russell 2000 BuyWrite Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RYLD returned 2.80%/yr vs 14.20%/yr for SPY. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RYLD charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

RYLD vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) 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, RYLD achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return.

RYLD

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 2.91%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 22.71%
• 3Y*: 7.52%
• 5Y*: 2.80%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

RYLD vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	8.54%	5.65%	10.13%	0.27%	-13.03%	22.13%	-0.44%	8.92%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	12.49%

Correlation

The correlation between RYLD and SPY is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2019	0.77

The correlation between RYLD and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

RYLD vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RYLD	SPY
Financial Services	104.9%	11.8%
Industrials	17.5%	7.8%
Technology	16.8%	35.9%
Healthcare	16.5%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	10.3%
Real Estate	6.2%	1.9%
Energy	6.2%	3.6%
Basic Materials	4.8%	1.8%
Utilities	2.9%	2.4%
Communication Services	2.5%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.8%

Return for Risk

RYLD vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

RYLD

RYLD Risk / Return Rank: 70
RYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
RYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
RYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 74
RYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
RYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

RYLD vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) 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.

	RYLD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.52	-0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	3.42	-0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.46	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	3.42	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.68	15.93	-1.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RYLD vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RYLD 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

	RYLD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.52	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.84	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.59	-0.27

Drawdowns

RYLD vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RYLD drawdown since its inception was -41.53%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RYLD and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RYLD	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.53%	-55.19%	+13.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.29%	-8.88%	+2.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.05%	-18.76%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.33%	-24.50%	+3.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.85%	-9.05%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.91%	-0.36%

Volatility

RYLD vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) is 2.00%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.75%. This indicates that RYLD 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

	RYLD	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.00%	2.75%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.60%	8.89%	-1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.66%	11.81%	-1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.03%	17.05%	-3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	17.94%	-0.73%

RYLD vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

RYLD vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

RYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.63%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RYLD Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF	11.63%	12.00%	12.03%	12.64%	13.49%	12.35%	10.76%	6.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 RYLD and SPY in my portfolio?

RYLD and SPY have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RYLD or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.75%) compared to RYLD (2.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RYLD dropped -41.53% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, RYLD or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 14.20% vs 2.80% for RYLD. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, RYLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RYLD or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 14.20% return vs 2.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RYLD or SPY?

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

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

RYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.63%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between RYLD and SPY?

RYLD is categorized as Hedge Fund, while SPY is S&P 500. RYLD tracks CBOE Russell 2000 BuyWrite Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for RYLD and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.14), 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.