SIXO vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIXO (AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 Apr/Oct ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SIXO is a Options Trading fund tracking the S&P 500, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SIXO returned 9.69%/yr vs 22.35%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SIXO charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SIXO vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 Apr/Oct ETF (SIXO) 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, SIXO achieves a 2.76% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

SIXO

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 2.76%
• 6M: 3.38%
• 1Y: 9.31%
• 3Y*: 9.69%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

SIXO vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SIXO AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 Apr/Oct ETF	2.76%	7.19%	12.22%	17.44%	-5.66%	3.65%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	9.76%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXO and SPY is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2021	0.93

The correlation between SIXO and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

SIXO vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIXO	SPY
Technology	36.2%	35.9%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.8%
Communication Services	10.9%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.3%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.4%
Industrials	8.1%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.6%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SIXO vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIXO

SIXO Risk / Return Rank: 53
SIXO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SIXO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SIXO Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SIXO Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SIXO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

SIXO vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 Apr/Oct ETF (SIXO) 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.

	SIXO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.38	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.49	3.24	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.43	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	3.16	-0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.59	14.72	-6.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIXO vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXO Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXO 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

	SIXO	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	2.38	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.59	+0.28

Drawdowns

SIXO vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXO drawdown since its inception was -12.04%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXO and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIXO	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.04%	-55.19%	+43.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.13%	-8.88%	+4.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.95%	-18.76%	+6.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.70%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.01%	-9.05%	+7.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	1.91%	-0.82%

Volatility

SIXO vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 Apr/Oct ETF (SIXO) is 0.64%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that SIXO 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

	SIXO	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.64%	2.84%	-2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.06%	8.90%	-4.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.21%	11.83%	-6.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.08%	17.05%	-7.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.08%	17.94%	-8.86%

SIXO vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXO has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXO vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SIXO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SIXO AllianzIM U.S. Large Cap 6 Month Buffer10 Apr/Oct ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 SIXO and SPY in my portfolio?

SIXO and SPY have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIXO or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to SIXO (0.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXO dropped -12.04% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SIXO or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 22.35% vs 9.69% for SIXO. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SIXO has been the lower-risk option at 0.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIXO or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 22.35% return vs 9.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIXO or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for SIXO.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.00% for SIXO.

What is the main difference between SIXO and SPY?

SIXO is categorized as Options Trading, while SPY is S&P 500. SIXO tracks S&P 500, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Allianz and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for SIXO and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.80), 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.