SPFF vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPFF (Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPFF is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPFF returned 3.13%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPFF charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SPFF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) 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, SPFF achieves a 6.91% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SPFF has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 3.13%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

SPFF

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 3.90%
• YTD: 6.91%
• 6M: 8.28%
• 1Y: 18.49%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 2.16%
• 10Y*: 3.13%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

SPFF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF	6.91%	7.52%	8.62%	3.00%	-14.29%	5.15%	6.91%	13.04%	-2.55%	1.80%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SPFF and SPY is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 20, 2012	0.48

Over the past year, SPFF and SPY have become more correlated (0.69) than their long-term average of 0.48, meaning their price movements have been converging.

SPFF vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPFF	SPY
Financial Services	54.4%	11.8%
Technology	18.3%	35.9%
Utilities	14.2%	2.4%
Healthcare	3.2%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	3.0%	10.3%
Basic Materials	2.6%	1.8%
Real Estate	2.1%	1.9%
Communication Services	2.0%	11.3%
Industrials	1.8%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%

Return for Risk

SPFF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPFF

SPFF Risk / Return Rank: 53
SPFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SPFF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SPFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPFF Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SPFF vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) 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.

	SPFF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.38	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	3.24	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	3.16	-0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.46	14.72	-7.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPFF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPFF Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPFF 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

	SPFF	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.38	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.82	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	0.87	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.59	-0.29

Drawdowns

SPFF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPFF drawdown since its inception was -35.92%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPFF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPFF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.92%	-55.19%	+19.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.58%	-8.88%	+1.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.51%	-18.76%	+6.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.88%	-24.50%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.92%	-33.72%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.70%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.06%	-9.05%	+4.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	1.91%	+0.58%

Volatility

SPFF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF (SPFF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.97% and 2.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPFF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	2.84%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.29%	8.90%	-1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.53%	11.83%	-2.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.93%	17.05%	-6.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.51%	17.94%	-4.43%

SPFF vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPFF has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPFF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SPFF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.34%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPFF Global X SuperIncome Preferred ETF	6.34%	6.47%	6.39%	6.64%	7.15%	5.78%	5.75%	5.97%	7.60%	7.24%	7.04%	7.50%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 SPFF and SPY in my portfolio?

SPFF and SPY have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPFF or SPY?

SPFF has higher volatility (2.97%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPFF dropped -35.92% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SPFF or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 3.13% for SPFF. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPFF or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 3.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPFF or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for SPFF.

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

SPFF has the higher dividend yield at 6.34%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPFF and SPY?

SPFF is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while SPY is S&P 500. SPFF tracks S&P Enhanced Yield North American Preferred Stock Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for SPFF and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.96), 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.