SPD vs. XBI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPD (Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF) and XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPD is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Simplify, while XBI is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. SPD is actively managed, while XBI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPD returned 8.57%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for XBI. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPD charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XBI.

Performance

SPD vs. XBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). 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 higher than XBI's 4.78% return.

SPD

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

XBI

• 1D: -4.39%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: 4.78%
• 6M: 8.21%
• 1Y: 57.84%
• 3Y*: 14.12%
• 5Y*: 0.26%
• 10Y*: 8.35%

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

SPD vs. XBI - 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%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	4.78%	35.89%	1.01%	7.60%	-25.87%	-20.45%	33.97%

Correlation

The correlation between SPD and XBI is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2020	0.51

The correlation between SPD and XBI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPD vs. XBI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPD	XBI
Technology	35.6%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	0.2%
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	99.8%
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	0.2%

Return for Risk

SPD vs. XBI — 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

XBI

XBI Risk / Return Rank: 75
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 61
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
XBI 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. XBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). 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	XBI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	2.28	-1.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	3.14	-1.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.37	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	6.37	-5.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.26	19.55	-15.29
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. XBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPD Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is lower than the XBI Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPD and XBI, 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	XBI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	2.28	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.01	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.36	+0.34

Drawdowns

SPD vs. XBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPD drawdown since its inception was -27.38%, smaller than the maximum XBI drawdown of -63.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPD and XBI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPD	XBI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.38%	-63.89%	+36.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-9.72%	-2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-32.99%	+17.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.38%	-54.71%	+27.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-26.16%	+26.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.72%	-20.93%	+13.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	3.17%	+0.65%

Volatility

SPD vs. XBI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) is 3.32%, while SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) has a volatility of 9.43%. This indicates that SPD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XBI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPD	XBI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.32%	9.43%	-6.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.59%	20.31%	-11.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.20%	25.57%	-12.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	32.17%	-16.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	32.00%	-16.02%

SPD vs. XBI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPD has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than XBI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPD vs. XBI - Dividend Comparison

SPD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than XBI's 0.34% 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%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	0.34%	0.37%	0.15%	0.02%	0.00%	0.04%	0.20%	0.00%	0.28%	0.24%	0.26%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPD and XBI in my portfolio?

SPD and XBI have a correlation of 0.50, 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 XBI?

XBI has higher volatility (9.43%) compared to SPD (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPD dropped -27.38% vs XBI's -63.89%.

Which ETF is better, SPD or XBI?

On 5-year performance, SPD leads with 8.57% vs 0.26% for XBI. On fees, XBI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SPD has been the lower-risk option at 3.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPD or XBI?

Over the 5-year period, SPD has performed better with a 8.57% return vs 0.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPD or XBI?

XBI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for SPD.

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

SPD has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.34% for XBI.

What is the main difference between SPD and XBI?

SPD is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while XBI is Health & Biotech Equities. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SPD and 0.35% for XBI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 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.