SPAB vs. SPYG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPAB (SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPAB is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPAB returned 1.54%/yr vs 18.20%/yr for SPYG. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. SPAB charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

SPAB vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPAB achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than SPYG's 13.75% return. Over the past 10 years, SPAB has underperformed SPYG with an annualized return of 1.54%, while SPYG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.20% annualized return.

SPAB

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 0.14%
• 1Y: 5.24%
• 3Y*: 3.93%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: 1.54%

SPYG

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 7.38%
• YTD: 13.75%
• 6M: 13.57%
• 1Y: 33.95%
• 3Y*: 28.16%
• 5Y*: 16.07%
• 10Y*: 18.20%

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

SPAB vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF	0.29%	7.25%	1.25%	5.56%	-13.04%	-1.77%	7.39%	8.67%	-0.18%	3.71%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	13.75%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	32.01%	33.46%	30.84%	-0.12%	27.24%

Correlation

The correlation between SPAB and SPYG is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2007	-0.10

The correlation between SPAB and SPYG shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (all time) to 0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPAB vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPAB

SPAB Risk / Return Rank: 38
SPAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SPAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SPAB Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SPAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SPAB Martin Ratio Rank: 36

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

SPAB vs. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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.

	SPAB	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.12	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	2.90	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.37	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.92	2.48	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.72	10.25	-4.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPAB vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPAB Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPAB and SPYG, 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

	SPAB	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	2.12	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.76	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.88	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.35	+0.15

Drawdowns

SPAB vs. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPAB drawdown since its inception was -18.56%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPAB and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPAB	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.56%	-67.63%	+49.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.74%	-13.76%	+11.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.08%	-22.14%	+16.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.96%	-32.67%	+14.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.56%	-32.67%	+14.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-1.13%	-1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-24.33%	+21.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	3.32%	-2.40%

Volatility

SPAB vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) is 1.15%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) has a volatility of 4.35%. This indicates that SPAB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPAB	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	4.35%	-3.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.57%	12.46%	-9.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.77%	16.06%	-12.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.92%	21.17%	-15.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.54%	20.64%	-15.10%

SPAB vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPAB has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than SPYG's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPAB vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

SPAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.05%, more than SPYG's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF	4.05%	3.97%	3.86%	3.34%	2.59%	2.11%	2.43%	2.92%	2.96%	2.67%	2.63%	2.59%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.47%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPAB and SPYG in my portfolio?

SPAB and SPYG have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPAB or SPYG?

SPYG has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to SPAB (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPAB dropped -18.56% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which ETF is better, SPAB or SPYG?

On 10-year performance, SPYG leads with 18.20% vs 1.54% for SPAB. On fees, SPAB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SPAB has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPAB or SPYG?

Over the 10-year period, SPYG has performed better with a 18.20% return vs 1.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPAB or SPYG?

SPAB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for SPYG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPAB or SPYG?

SPAB has the higher dividend yield at 4.05%, compared with 0.47% for SPYG.

What is the main difference between SPAB and SPYG?

SPAB is categorized as Total Bond Market, while SPYG is S&P 500. SPAB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, while SPYG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for SPAB and 0.04% for SPYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.40), 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.