SPY vs. QAI

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while QAI is a Long-Short fund tracking the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPY returned 15.34%/yr vs 3.84%/yr for QAI. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for QAI.

Performance

SPY vs. QAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SPY having a 8.48% return and QAI slightly lower at 8.18%. Over the past 10 years, SPY has outperformed QAI with an annualized return of 15.34%, while QAI has yielded a comparatively lower 3.84% annualized return.

SPY

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: -0.06%
• YTD: 8.48%
• 6M: 7.66%
• 1Y: 24.09%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: 13.23%
• 10Y*: 15.34%

QAI

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 7.84%
• 1Y: 14.62%
• 3Y*: 9.79%
• 5Y*: 4.38%
• 10Y*: 3.84%

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

SPY vs. QAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.48%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	8.18%	8.29%	6.67%	10.07%	-8.68%	-0.16%	5.73%	8.68%	-3.32%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and QAI is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2009	0.71

The correlation between SPY and QAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPY vs. QAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	QAI
Technology	35.9%	21.9%
Financial Services	11.8%	19.5%
Communication Services	11.3%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	7.3%
Healthcare	8.4%	7.1%
Industrials	7.8%	13.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	3.7%
Energy	3.6%	3.7%
Utilities	2.4%	3.8%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.9%
Basic Materials	1.8%	5.3%

Return for Risk

SPY vs. QAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 73
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 78

QAI

QAI Risk / Return Rank: 86
QAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QAI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
QAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
QAI Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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. QAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). 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	QAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.30	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	3.21	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	3.95	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.32	15.66	-3.34

SPY vs. QAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the QAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and QAI, 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. QAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than QAI's maximum drawdown of -14.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and QAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	QAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-14.95%	-40.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-3.71%	-5.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-7.78%	-10.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-14.32%	-10.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	-14.95%	-18.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.87%	-1.17%	-1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-2.57%	-6.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.96%	0.94%	+1.02%

Volatility

SPY vs. QAI - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 4.34% compared to IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) at 2.83%. This indicates that SPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	QAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	2.83%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.59%	5.41%	+4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	6.39%	+5.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	6.63%	+10.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.97%	6.21%	+11.76%

SPY vs. QAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than QAI's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPY vs. QAI - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than QAI's 1.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.39%	1.50%	2.22%	4.08%	2.00%	0.28%	1.98%	1.91%	1.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.48%
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 QAI in my portfolio?

SPY and QAI have a correlation of 0.86, 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 QAI?

SPY has higher volatility (4.34%) compared to QAI (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs QAI's -14.95%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or QAI?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.34% vs 3.84% for QAI. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, QAI has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or QAI?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.34% return vs 3.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or QAI?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QAI.

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

QAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 1.00% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPY and QAI?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while QAI is Long-Short. SPY tracks S&P 500 Index, while QAI tracks IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and New York Life. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.79% for QAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.97), 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.