SGU vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SGU (Star Group, L.P.) is a stock, while SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) is High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US High Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, SGU returned 9.88%/yr vs 5.15%/yr for SPHY. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SGU vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Star Group, L.P. (SGU) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SGU achieves a 11.84% return, which is significantly higher than SPHY's 1.54% return. Over the past 10 years, SGU has outperformed SPHY with an annualized return of 9.88%, while SPHY has yielded a comparatively lower 5.15% annualized return.

SGU

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 4.13%
• YTD: 11.84%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 12.88%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: 9.46%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

SPHY

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.54%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.16%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 4.39%
• 10Y*: 5.15%

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

SGU vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SGU Star Group, L.P.	11.84%	9.00%	6.25%	0.66%	18.88%	20.48%	5.48%	6.71%	-8.96%	4.15%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.54%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	5.61%	6.65%	13.16%	-3.35%	7.35%

Correlation

The correlation between SGU and SPHY is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2012	0.12

Return for Risk

SGU vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGU

SGU Risk / Return Rank: 63
SGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SGU Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SGU Martin Ratio Rank: 71

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SGU vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Star Group, L.P. (SGU) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	SGU	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	1.96	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	2.98	-1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.39	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	2.98	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.95	13.52	-9.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SGU vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGU Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGU and SPHY, 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

	SGU	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	1.96	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.62	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.65	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.64	-0.51

Drawdowns

SGU vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGU drawdown since its inception was -95.68%, which is greater than SPHY's maximum drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGU and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGU	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.68%	-21.97%	-73.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.23%	-2.41%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.87%	-4.85%	-26.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.87%	-15.29%	-15.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.57%	-21.97%	-13.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.46%	-0.22%	-4.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.06%	-2.29%	-35.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	0.53%	+2.88%

Volatility

SGU vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

Star Group, L.P. (SGU) has a higher volatility of 8.21% compared to SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) at 1.14%. This indicates that SGU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SGU	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.21%	1.14%	+7.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	2.91%	+10.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.70%	3.68%	+14.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.94%	7.17%	+22.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.72%	7.89%	+19.83%

Dividends

SGU vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

SGU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.86%, less than SPHY's 7.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SGU Star Group, L.P.	5.86%	6.14%	5.89%	5.55%	4.98%	5.20%	5.55%	5.21%	4.95%	4.02%	3.74%	5.01%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.27%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGU and SPHY in my portfolio?

SGU and SPHY have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGU or SPHY?

SGU has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to SPHY (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGU dropped -95.68% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.73), 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.