SPD vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPD (Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPD is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Simplify, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. SPD is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPD returned 8.57%/yr vs 14.20%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPD charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SPD vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) 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, SPD achieves a 7.45% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return.

SPD

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 7.45%
• 6M: 6.89%
• 1Y: 16.00%
• 3Y*: 18.15%
• 5Y*: 8.57%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

SPD vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	7.45%	18.86%	17.49%	20.94%	-25.96%	24.81%	8.75%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	10.04%

Correlation

The correlation between SPD and SPY is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2020	0.92

The correlation between SPD and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPD vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPD	SPY
Technology	35.6%	35.9%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.3%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.4%
Industrials	8.3%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.6%
Utilities	2.4%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SPD vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPD

SPD Risk / Return Rank: 31
SPD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SPD Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
SPD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SPD Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
SPD Martin Ratio Rank: 29

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) 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.

	SPD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	2.52	-1.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	3.42	-1.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.46	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	3.42	-2.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.26	15.93	-11.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPD vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPD Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPD 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

	SPD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	2.52	-1.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.84	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.59	+0.11

Drawdowns

SPD vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPD drawdown since its inception was -27.38%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPD and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPD	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.38%	-55.19%	+27.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-8.88%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-18.76%	+3.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.38%	-24.50%	-2.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.72%	-9.05%	+1.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.91%	+1.91%

Volatility

SPD vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) has a higher volatility of 3.32% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that SPD'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

	SPD	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	2.75%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.59%	8.89%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.20%	11.81%	+1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	17.05%	-1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	17.94%	-1.96%

SPD vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPD has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPD vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SPD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	0.95%	0.97%	1.14%	1.91%	1.64%	0.88%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	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 SPD and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SPD and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPD or SPY?

SPD has higher volatility (3.32%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPD dropped -27.38% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SPD or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 14.20% vs 8.57% for SPD. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPD or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 14.20% return vs 8.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPD or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for SPD.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.95% for SPD.

What is the main difference between SPD and SPY?

SPD is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SPD and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.22), 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.