SBIO vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SBIO (ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SBIO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SBIO returned 11.54%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SBIO charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SBIO vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) 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, SBIO achieves a 18.79% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.10% return. Over the past 10 years, SBIO has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.54%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

SBIO

• 1D: 2.88%
• 1M: 14.15%
• YTD: 18.79%
• 6M: 15.02%
• 1Y: 98.14%
• 3Y*: 25.22%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 11.54%

SPY

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -1.41%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.77%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 12.96%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

SBIO vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	18.79%	55.07%	3.81%	8.68%	-28.08%	-17.55%	21.17%	50.30%	-11.81%	45.67%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.10%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SBIO and SPY is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2014	0.54

The correlation between SBIO and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

SBIO vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SBIO	SPY
Healthcare	100.0%	8.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Communication Services	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	39.0%
Utilities	-	2.1%
Financial Services	-0.0%	11.1%

Return for Risk

SBIO vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBIO

SBIO Risk / Return Rank: 93
SBIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SBIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SBIO Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SBIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SBIO Martin Ratio Rank: 93

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
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.

SBIO vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) 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.

	SBIO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.24	1.79	+1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	2.45	+1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.33	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.80	2.51	+5.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.75	11.15	+10.60

SBIO vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBIO Sharpe Ratio is 3.24, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBIO 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

SBIO vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBIO drawdown since its inception was -63.06%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBIO and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBIO	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.06%	-55.19%	-7.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.66%	-8.88%	-3.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.44%	-18.76%	-23.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.10%	-24.50%	-28.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.06%	-33.72%	-29.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-3.22%	+2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.36%	-9.03%	-19.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.53%	1.99%	+2.54%

Volatility

SBIO vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) has a higher volatility of 11.21% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.85%. This indicates that SBIO'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

	SBIO	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.21%	4.85%	+6.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.75%	9.81%	+13.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.51%	12.47%	+18.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.76%	17.15%	+16.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.20%	17.95%	+15.25%

SBIO vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBIO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SBIO vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SBIO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.55%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	2.79%	1.77%	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 SBIO and SPY in my portfolio?

SBIO and SPY have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SBIO or SPY?

SBIO has higher volatility (11.21%) compared to SPY (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBIO dropped -63.06% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SBIO or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.53% vs 11.54% for SBIO. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBIO or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.53% return vs 11.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBIO or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SBIO.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.00% for SBIO.

What is the main difference between SBIO and SPY?

SBIO is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. SBIO tracks S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SBIO and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SBIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 1.79), 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.