SPD vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

SPD (Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SPD is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPD returned 7.65%/yr vs 11.46%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPD charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

SPD vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPD achieves a 6.38% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 15.70% return.

SPD

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 0.91%
• 6M: 4.65%
• YTD: 6.38%
• 1Y: 11.02%
• 3Y*: 15.93%
• 5Y*: 7.65%
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.59%
• 6M: 13.30%
• YTD: 15.70%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 11.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPD vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	6.38%	18.86%	17.49%	20.94%	-25.96%	24.81%	8.06%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	15.70%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-13.76%	30.16%	13.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SPD and RAFE is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2020	0.81

The correlation between SPD and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPD vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPD

SPD Risk / Return Rank: 27
SPD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
SPD Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SPD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SPD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
SPD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 89
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

SPD vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPD	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.49	-1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	3.48	-2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.45	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.93	3.78	-2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.95	14.72	-11.77

SPD vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPD Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPD and RAFE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPD vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPD drawdown since its inception was -27.38%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPD and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPD	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.38%	-35.74%	+8.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-7.46%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-16.36%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.38%	-24.28%	-3.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-0.06%	-0.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-6.13%	-1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	1.91%	+1.84%

Volatility

SPD vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) has a higher volatility of 4.19% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.78%. This indicates that SPD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPD	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.19%	2.78%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.39%	8.59%	+0.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.03%	11.34%	+1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	15.07%	+1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.96%	19.33%	-3.37%

SPD vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPD has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPD vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

SPD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than RAFE's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	0.96%	0.97%	1.14%	1.91%	1.64%	0.88%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPD and RAFE in my portfolio?

SPD and RAFE have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPD or RAFE?

SPD has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to RAFE (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPD dropped -27.38% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, SPD or RAFE?

On 5-year performance, RAFE leads with 11.46% vs 7.65% for SPD. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPD or RAFE?

Over the 5-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 11.46% return vs 7.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPD or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for SPD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPD or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.96% for SPD.

What is the main difference between SPD and RAFE?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SPD and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.85), 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.