SPHQ vs. RLY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SPHQ (Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF) and RLY (SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPHQ is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Quality Index, while RLY is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by State Street. SPHQ is passively managed, while RLY is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPHQ returned 14.91%/yr vs 8.25%/yr for RLY. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPHQ charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for RLY.

Performance

SPHQ vs. RLY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) and SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY). 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 SPHQ having a 14.28% return and RLY slightly higher at 14.36%. Over the past 10 years, SPHQ has outperformed RLY with an annualized return of 14.91%, while RLY has yielded a comparatively lower 8.25% annualized return.

SPHQ

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 3.64%
• YTD: 14.28%
• 6M: 15.48%
• 1Y: 21.15%
• 3Y*: 22.07%
• 5Y*: 14.25%
• 10Y*: 14.91%

RLY

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: 14.36%
• 6M: 16.24%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 13.90%
• 5Y*: 9.85%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

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

SPHQ vs. RLY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPHQ Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF	14.28%	13.25%	25.44%	24.83%	-15.76%	28.03%	17.36%	33.64%	-7.10%	19.10%
RLY SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF	14.36%	20.26%	2.53%	2.56%	7.86%	22.85%	-0.59%	15.63%	-11.72%	10.40%

Correlation

The correlation between SPHQ and RLY is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2012	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between SPHQ and RLY has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPHQ vs. RLY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPHQ	RLY
Technology	28.1%	-
Industrials	24.3%	16.5%
Consumer Defensive	15.4%	3.6%
Financial Services	13.3%	0.0%
Healthcare	8.4%	0.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.6%	2.6%
Basic Materials	2.2%	25.1%
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Utilities	1.0%	15.9%
Energy	0.7%	30.1%
Real Estate	-	5.4%

Return for Risk

SPHQ vs. RLY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPHQ

SPHQ Risk / Return Rank: 55
SPHQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SPHQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SPHQ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SPHQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SPHQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

RLY

RLY Risk / Return Rank: 91
RLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RLY Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

SPHQ vs. RLY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) and SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY). 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.

	SPHQ	RLY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.66	2.73	-1.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.69	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.51	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.39	7.16	-4.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.19	25.86	-15.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPHQ vs. RLY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPHQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.66, which is lower than the RLY Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPHQ and RLY, 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

	SPHQ	RLY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.66	2.73	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87	0.73	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.60	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.36	+0.17

Drawdowns

SPHQ vs. RLY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPHQ drawdown since its inception was -57.83%, which is greater than RLY's maximum drawdown of -37.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPHQ and RLY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPHQ	RLY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.83%	-37.75%	-20.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-3.93%	-4.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.57%	-10.08%	-6.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.04%	-18.94%	-6.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.60%	-34.17%	+2.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	-3.93%	+2.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.70%	-9.45%	-1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	1.09%	+1.00%

Volatility

SPHQ vs. RLY - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) has a higher volatility of 3.90% compared to SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) at 3.47%. This indicates that SPHQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RLY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPHQ	RLY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	3.47%	+0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	8.46%	+1.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.83%	10.34%	+2.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.48%	13.57%	+2.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.88%	13.83%	+4.05%

SPHQ vs. RLY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPHQ has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than RLY's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPHQ vs. RLY - Dividend Comparison

SPHQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than RLY's 2.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RLY SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF	2.93%	3.24%	3.31%	3.71%	5.66%	12.15%	2.16%	3.45%	2.76%	1.85%	2.07%	1.80%
SPHQ Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF	1.05%	1.09%	1.15%	1.42%	1.85%	1.19%	1.55%	1.51%	1.85%	1.57%	1.67%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPHQ and RLY in my portfolio?

SPHQ and RLY have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPHQ or RLY?

SPHQ has higher volatility (3.90%) compared to RLY (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPHQ dropped -57.83% vs RLY's -37.75%.

Which ETF is better, SPHQ or RLY?

On 10-year performance, SPHQ leads with 14.91% vs 8.25% for RLY. On fees, SPHQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, RLY has been the lower-risk option at 3.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPHQ or RLY?

Over the 10-year period, SPHQ has performed better with a 14.91% return vs 8.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPHQ or RLY?

SPHQ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RLY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPHQ or RLY?

RLY has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 1.05% for SPHQ.

What is the main difference between SPHQ and RLY?

SPHQ is categorized as S&P 500, while RLY is Hedge Fund. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SPHQ and 0.50% for RLY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RLY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.66), 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.