SPD vs. USPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPD (Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF) and USPX (Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SPD is actively managed, while USPX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPD returned 8.36%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for USPX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPD charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for USPX.

Performance

SPD vs. USPX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPD achieves a 6.70% return, which is significantly lower than USPX's 10.64% return.

SPD

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.09%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 14.01%
• 3Y*: 17.87%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: —

USPX

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 5.12%
• YTD: 10.64%
• 6M: 10.50%
• 1Y: 27.42%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPD vs. USPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	6.70%	18.86%	17.49%	20.94%	-25.96%	24.81%	8.75%
USPX Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF	10.64%	17.78%	24.97%	27.07%	-18.88%	19.53%	10.10%

Correlation

The correlation between SPD and USPX is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2020	0.90

The correlation between SPD and USPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPD vs. USPX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPD	USPX
Technology	35.6%	35.4%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.6%
Industrials	8.3%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.6%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.7%

Return for Risk

SPD vs. USPX — 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: 29
SPD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SPD Omega Ratio Rank: 27
SPD Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SPD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

USPX

USPX Risk / Return Rank: 68
USPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
USPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
USPX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
USPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
USPX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. USPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX). 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	USPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	2.28	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	3.12	-1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.41	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	3.01	-1.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.67	13.72	-10.05
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. USPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPD Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the USPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPD and USPX, 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	USPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	2.28	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.77	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.80	-0.12

Drawdowns

SPD vs. USPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPD drawdown since its inception was -27.38%, smaller than the maximum USPX drawdown of -31.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPD and USPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPD	USPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.38%	-31.21%	+3.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-9.15%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-19.21%	+4.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.38%	-24.60%	-2.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.75%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.72%	-4.44%	-3.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	2.00%	+1.82%

Volatility

SPD vs. USPX - Volatility Comparison

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF (USPX) at 2.87%. This indicates that SPD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPD	USPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	2.87%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.60%	9.16%	-0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	12.09%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	16.17%	-0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	15.92%	+0.06%

SPD vs. USPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPD has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than USPX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPD vs. USPX - Dividend Comparison

SPD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than USPX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	0.96%	0.97%	1.14%	1.91%	1.64%	0.88%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USPX Franklin U.S. Equity Index ETF	1.04%	1.07%	1.23%	1.35%	2.21%	2.40%	2.51%	3.07%	2.91%	2.60%	4.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPD and USPX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SPD and USPX 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 USPX?

SPD has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to USPX (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPD dropped -27.38% vs USPX's -31.21%.

Which ETF is better, SPD or USPX?

On 5-year performance, USPX leads with 12.39% vs 8.36% for SPD. On fees, USPX is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, USPX has been the lower-risk option at 2.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPD or USPX?

Over the 5-year period, USPX has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 8.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPD or USPX?

USPX is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for SPD.

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

USPX has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.96% for SPD.

What is the main difference between SPD and USPX?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SPD and 0.03% for USPX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.07), 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.