SPY vs. CTA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. SPY is passively managed, while CTA is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPY returned 20.86%/yr vs 9.41%/yr for CTA. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.

Performance

SPY vs. CTA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA). 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 CTA's 6.10% return.

SPY

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 25.67%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 13.36%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

CTA

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: -10.45%
• YTD: 6.10%
• 6M: 8.48%
• 1Y: 6.45%
• 3Y*: 9.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPY vs. CTA - 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%	-7.34%
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	6.10%	0.88%	24.15%	-2.23%	9.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and CTA is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2022	-0.13

Return for Risk

SPY vs. CTA — 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

CTA

CTA Risk / Return Rank: 14
CTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
CTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
CTA Omega Ratio Rank: 14
CTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
CTA Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA). 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	CTA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	0.28	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	0.50	+2.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.07	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	0.44	+2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.39	1.24	+11.15

SPY vs. CTA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the CTA Sharpe Ratio of 0.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and CTA, 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. CTA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than CTA's maximum drawdown of -18.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and CTA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	CTA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-18.07%	-37.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-12.94%	+4.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-12.94%	-5.82%
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%	-12.94%	+10.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-5.71%	-3.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	4.57%	-2.60%

Volatility

SPY vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 4.34%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that SPY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	CTA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	6.16%	-1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	17.59%	-8.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	20.33%	-8.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	16.61%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	16.61%	+1.35%

SPY vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPY vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than CTA's 5.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF	5.13%	3.19%	4.80%	7.78%	6.58%	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 CTA in my portfolio?

SPY and CTA have a correlation of -0.13, 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 CTA?

CTA has higher volatility (6.16%) compared to SPY (4.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs CTA's -18.07%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or CTA?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.86% vs 9.41% for CTA. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or CTA?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.86% return vs 9.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or CTA?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.

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

CTA has the higher dividend yield at 5.13%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPY and CTA?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while CTA is Systematic Trend. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.78% for CTA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.28), 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.