SDOG vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

SDOG is a passively managed fund by SS&C that tracks the performance of the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index. It was launched on Jun 29, 2012.

Performance

SDOG vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SDOG vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	8.31%	11.12%	14.70%	4.19%	-0.20%	24.59%	-0.35%	24.02%	-11.43%	12.65%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDOG achieves a 8.31% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOG has underperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 9.35%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.

SDOG

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -2.45%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 9.22%
• 1Y: 16.39%
• 3Y*: 12.64%
• 5Y*: 8.88%
• 10Y*: 9.35%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

SDOG vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDOG

SDOG Risk / Return Rank: 52
SDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
SDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

SDOG vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	SDOG	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	0.92	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	1.41	+0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.21	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.22	1.41	-0.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.20	6.61	-1.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDOG vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is comparable to the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOG and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SDOG	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	0.92	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.61	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.68	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.46	+0.17

Correlation

The correlation between SDOG and ^GSPC is 0.76, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

SDOG vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOG drawdown since its inception was -43.56%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOG and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOG	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.56%	-56.78%	+13.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.12%	-12.14%	-0.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.84%	-25.43%	+5.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.56%	-33.92%	-9.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.50%	-5.78%	+2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-10.75%	+5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.60%	+0.47%

Volatility

SDOG vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) is 3.00%, while S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) has a volatility of 5.37%. This indicates that SDOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOG	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.00%	5.37%	-2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.43%	9.55%	-1.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.11%	18.33%	-2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	16.90%	-1.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.08%	18.05%	+1.03%