SNN vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SNN (Smith & Nephew plc) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, SNN returned 0.76%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SNN vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) 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, SNN achieves a -7.39% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SNN has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 0.76%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

SNN

• 1D: 1.94%
• 1M: -3.14%
• YTD: -7.39%
• 6M: -7.82%
• 1Y: 5.21%
• 3Y*: 2.35%
• 5Y*: -4.25%
• 10Y*: 0.76%

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)

SNN vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SNN Smith & Nephew plc	-7.39%	36.82%	-7.34%	4.44%	-20.20%	-16.21%	-10.40%	30.84%	8.90%	18.57%
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%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SNN and SPY is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 1999	0.41

The correlation between SNN and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.46 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SNN vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SNN

SNN Risk / Return Rank: 44
SNN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SNN Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SNN Omega Ratio Rank: 42
SNN Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SNN Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

SNN vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) 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.

	SNN	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.18	2.38	-2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	3.24	-2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.43	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.23	3.16	-2.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.47	14.72	-14.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SNN vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SNN Sharpe Ratio is 0.18, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SNN 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

	SNN	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18	2.38	-2.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.16	0.82	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03	0.87	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.59	-0.31

Drawdowns

SNN vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SNN drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SNN and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SNN	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-55.19%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-8.88%	-14.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.36%	-18.76%	-13.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.18%	-24.50%	-24.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.06%	-33.72%	-21.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.62%	-0.70%	-30.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.64%	-9.05%	-8.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.20%	1.91%	+9.29%

Volatility

SNN vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) has a higher volatility of 7.37% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that SNN'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

	SNN	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.37%	2.84%	+4.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.54%	8.90%	+8.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.55%	11.83%	+17.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.08%	17.05%	+10.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.91%	17.94%	+8.97%

Dividends

SNN vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SNN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SNN Smith & Nephew plc	2.61%	2.32%	3.05%	2.75%	2.79%	2.17%	1.78%	1.51%	1.96%	1.76%	2.08%	1.68%
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 SNN and SPY in my portfolio?

SNN and SPY have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SNN or SPY?

SNN has higher volatility (7.37%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SNN dropped -55.20% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.18), 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.