SIMS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIMS (SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SIMS is a Global Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIMS returned 0.71%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIMS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SIMS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) 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, SIMS achieves a 13.06% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

SIMS

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 9.06%
• 1Y: 39.98%
• 3Y*: 12.52%
• 5Y*: 0.71%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

SIMS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	13.06%	23.75%	-0.27%	7.43%	-27.13%	9.00%	29.88%	35.30%	-18.07%	0.03%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	-0.17%

Correlation

The correlation between SIMS and SPY is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2017	0.77

The correlation between SIMS and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

SIMS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIMS	SPY
Industrials	51.4%	7.8%
Technology	22.2%	35.9%
Energy	11.0%	3.6%
Communication Services	5.5%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	10.3%
Basic Materials	3.3%	1.8%
Utilities	3.2%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

SIMS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIMS

SIMS Risk / Return Rank: 48
SIMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SIMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SIMS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SIMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SIMS Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SIMS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) 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.

	SIMS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.38	-0.64
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.24	-0.93
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	3.16	-0.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.65	14.72	-8.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIMS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIMS Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIMS 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

	SIMS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.38	-0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.82	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.59	-0.33

Drawdowns

SIMS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIMS drawdown since its inception was -43.97%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIMS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIMS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.97%	-55.19%	+11.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.79%	-8.88%	-6.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.78%	-18.76%	-10.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.97%	-24.50%	-19.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.70%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.09%	-9.05%	-7.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.03%	1.91%	+4.12%

Volatility

SIMS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) has a higher volatility of 5.15% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that SIMS'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

	SIMS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.15%	2.84%	+2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.95%	8.90%	+6.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.26%	11.83%	+11.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.08%	17.05%	+8.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	17.94%	+8.08%

SIMS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIMS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIMS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SIMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	0.57%	0.66%	0.88%	1.49%	1.48%	0.97%	0.58%	1.24%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 SIMS and SPY in my portfolio?

SIMS and SPY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIMS or SPY?

SIMS has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIMS dropped -43.97% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SIMS or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 0.71% for SIMS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIMS or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 0.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIMS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for SIMS.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.57% for SIMS.

What is the main difference between SIMS and SPY?

SIMS is categorized as Global Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. SIMS tracks S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for SIMS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.74), 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.