SPY vs. BDMIX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and BDMIX (BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund Class I) are both funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while BDMIX is a Long-Short fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, SPY returned 15.42%/yr vs 8.42%/yr for BDMIX. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 1.57%/yr for BDMIX.

Performance

SPY vs. BDMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund Class I (BDMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPY achieves a 9.07% return, which is significantly lower than BDMIX's 11.73% return. Over the past 10 years, SPY has outperformed BDMIX with an annualized return of 15.42%, while BDMIX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.42% annualized return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.27%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

BDMIX

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 11.73%
• 6M: 13.28%
• 1Y: 21.47%
• 3Y*: 21.45%
• 5Y*: 12.75%
• 10Y*: 8.42%

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

SPY vs. BDMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%
BDMIX BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund Class I	11.73%	18.30%	21.39%	14.55%	1.80%	3.34%	0.29%	-0.85%	2.20%	12.85%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and BDMIX 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	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.12

Over the past year, SPY and BDMIX have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.12, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

SPY vs. BDMIX — 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: 71
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

BDMIX

BDMIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
BDMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
BDMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
BDMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
BDMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BDMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

SPY vs. BDMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund Class I (BDMIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SPY	BDMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	3.07	-1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	4.51	-1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.58	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	6.70	-3.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	18.34	-5.95

SPY vs. BDMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is lower than the BDMIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and BDMIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SPY vs. BDMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than BDMIX's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and BDMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	BDMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-11.89%	-43.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-3.24%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-4.07%	-14.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-5.99%	-18.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	-9.44%	-24.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-1.33%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-2.68%	-6.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.18%	+0.79%

Volatility

SPY vs. BDMIX - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund Class I (BDMIX) at 2.69%. This indicates that SPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BDMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	BDMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	2.69%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	4.75%	+4.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	7.07%	+5.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	6.58%	+10.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	5.84%	+12.12%

SPY vs. BDMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BDMIX's 1.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPY vs. BDMIX - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than BDMIX's 8.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BDMIX BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund Class I	8.00%	8.94%	13.26%	7.42%	0.00%	1.23%	0.30%	6.78%	0.94%	0.00%	0.00%	1.86%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 SPY and BDMIX in my portfolio?

SPY and BDMIX 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, SPY or BDMIX?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to BDMIX (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs BDMIX's -11.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BDMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 1.98), 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.