SPFIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SPFIX (Shelton Capital Management S&P 500 Index Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both S&P 500 funds tracking the S&P 500 Index, from BlackRock and State Street respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPFIX returned 17.67%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SPFIX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SPFIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Shelton Capital Management S&P 500 Index Fund (SPFIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPFIX having a 11.27% return and SPY slightly higher at 11.69%. Over the past 10 years, SPFIX has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 17.67%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.57% annualized return.

SPFIX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 11.27%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 29.02%
• 3Y*: 27.76%
• 5Y*: 16.80%
• 10Y*: 17.67%

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)

SPFIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPFIX Shelton Capital Management S&P 500 Index Fund	11.27%	17.23%	42.83%	25.48%	-18.22%	27.99%	17.41%	41.64%	-4.68%	21.55%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SPFIX and SPY is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1993	0.98

The correlation between SPFIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SPFIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPFIX

SPFIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
SPFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SPFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SPFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SPFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SPFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SPFIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Shelton Capital Management S&P 500 Index Fund (SPFIX) 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.

	SPFIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.52	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.42	3.42	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.46	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	3.42	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.49	15.93	-0.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPFIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPFIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPFIX 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

	SPFIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.52	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.84	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94	0.87	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.59	0.00

Drawdowns

SPFIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPFIX drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPFIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPFIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.81%	-55.19%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-8.88%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.94%	-18.76%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.69%	-24.50%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.83%	-33.72%	-0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.95%	-9.05%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	1.91%	0.00%

Volatility

SPFIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Shelton Capital Management S&P 500 Index Fund (SPFIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.82% and 2.75%, 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

	SPFIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.75%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.95%	8.89%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	11.81%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.23%	17.05%	+1.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.88%	17.94%	+0.94%

SPFIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPFIX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPFIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SPFIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPFIX Shelton Capital Management S&P 500 Index Fund	3.27%	3.45%	27.20%	8.08%	5.07%	5.43%	8.06%	16.60%	2.49%	3.01%	2.92%	4.35%
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 SPFIX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, SPFIX 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, SPFIX or SPY?

SPFIX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPFIX dropped -54.81% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.51), 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.