SPY vs. CARY

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and CARY (Angel Oak Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while CARY is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Angel Oak. SPY is passively managed, while CARY is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPY returned 20.86%/yr vs 7.39%/yr for CARY. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for CARY.

Performance

SPY vs. CARY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Angel Oak Income ETF (CARY). 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 higher than CARY's 2.01% return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 25.67%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

CARY

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 2.01%
• 6M: 2.44%
• 1Y: 6.61%
• 3Y*: 7.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPY vs. CARY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.07%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	1.12%
CARY Angel Oak Income ETF	2.01%	7.54%	6.93%	8.70%	0.58%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and CARY is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2022	0.14

Over the past year, SPY and CARY have become more correlated (0.44) than their long-term average of 0.14, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

SPY vs. CARY — 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

CARY

CARY Risk / Return Rank: 95
CARY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
CARY Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
CARY Omega Ratio Rank: 97
CARY Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
CARY Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. CARY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Angel Oak Income ETF (CARY). 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	CARY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	3.66	-1.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	5.74	-3.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.81	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	5.11	-2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	22.04	-9.65

SPY vs. CARY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is lower than the CARY Sharpe Ratio of 3.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and CARY, 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. CARY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than CARY's maximum drawdown of -1.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and CARY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	CARY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-1.96%	-53.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-1.28%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-1.96%	-16.80%
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	-2.35%	0.00%	-2.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-0.32%	-8.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	0.30%	+1.67%

Volatility

SPY vs. CARY - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to Angel Oak Income ETF (CARY) at 0.68%. This indicates that SPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CARY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	CARY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	0.68%	+3.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	1.37%	+8.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	1.80%	+10.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	2.73%	+14.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	2.73%	+15.23%

SPY vs. CARY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than CARY's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPY vs. CARY - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than CARY's 5.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CARY Angel Oak Income ETF	5.92%	6.13%	6.10%	6.38%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 CARY in my portfolio?

SPY and CARY have a correlation of 0.44, 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 CARY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to CARY (0.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs CARY's -1.96%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or CARY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.86% vs 7.39% for CARY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, CARY has been the lower-risk option at 0.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or CARY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.86% return vs 7.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or CARY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for CARY.

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

CARY has the higher dividend yield at 5.92%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPY and CARY?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while CARY is Multisector Bonds. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Angel Oak. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.80% for CARY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CARY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 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.