SPTU vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPTU (State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPTU is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPTU charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SPTU vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU) 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, SPTU achieves a 1.48% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

SPTU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.48%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

SPTU vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	1.48%	0.92%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	1.61%

Correlation

The correlation between SPTU and SPY is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2025	0.11

Return for Risk

SPTU vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

SPTU vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF (SPTU) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPTU	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	11.82	0.59	+11.24

Drawdowns

SPTU vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPTU drawdown since its inception was -0.04%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPTU and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPTU	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.04%	-55.19%	+55.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.00%	-9.05%	+9.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SPTU	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.84%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32%	11.83%	-11.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.32%	17.05%	-16.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.32%	17.94%	-17.62%

SPTU vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPTU has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPTU vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SPTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPTU State Street SPDR Portfolio Ultra Short T-Bill ETF	2.36%	0.89%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 SPTU and SPY in my portfolio?

SPTU and SPY have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SPTU or SPY?

On fees, SPTU is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPTU or SPY?

SPTU is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for SPY.

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

SPTU has the higher dividend yield at 2.36%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPTU and SPY?

SPTU is categorized as Ultrashort Bond, while SPY is S&P 500. SPTU tracks ICE BofA US Treasury Bill Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPTU and 0.09% for SPY.