SPYC vs. SPYI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPYC (Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF) and SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Simplify, while SPYI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPYC returned 19.24%/yr vs 16.41%/yr for SPYI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPYC charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for SPYI.

Performance

SPYC vs. SPYI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF (SPYC) and NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPYC having a 7.59% return and SPYI slightly higher at 7.72%.

SPYC

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 5.51%
• YTD: 7.59%
• 6M: 6.63%
• 1Y: 16.39%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: —

SPYI

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 7.72%
• 6M: 8.37%
• 1Y: 22.76%
• 3Y*: 16.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPYC vs. SPYI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPYC Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF	7.59%	15.31%	22.57%	23.98%	-7.84%
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	7.72%	16.67%	19.03%	18.09%	-2.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYC and SPYI is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2022	0.90

The correlation between SPYC and SPYI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPYC vs. SPYI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYC	SPYI
Technology	35.6%	35.5%
Financial Services	11.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.5%
Industrials	8.3%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.9%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.4%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SPYC vs. SPYI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYC

SPYC Risk / Return Rank: 27
SPYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
SPYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SPYC Omega Ratio Rank: 27
SPYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SPYC Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SPYI

SPYI Risk / Return Rank: 71
SPYI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPYI Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SPYI Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPYI Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPYI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

SPYC vs. SPYI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF (SPYC) and NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI). 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.

	SPYC	SPYI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	2.38	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	3.26	-1.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.47	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.22	2.96	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.66	15.43	-11.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPYC vs. SPYI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYC Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the SPYI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYC and SPYI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPYC	SPYI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	2.38	-1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	1.21	-0.57

Drawdowns

SPYC vs. SPYI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYC drawdown since its inception was -28.51%, which is greater than SPYI's maximum drawdown of -16.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYC and SPYI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYC	SPYI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.51%	-16.47%	-12.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.47%	-7.72%	-5.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.81%	-16.47%	-6.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-0.50%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-1.80%	-6.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	1.48%	+3.01%

Volatility

SPYC vs. SPYI - Volatility Comparison

Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF (SPYC) has a higher volatility of 3.73% compared to NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) at 1.82%. This indicates that SPYC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYC	SPYI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	1.82%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.75%	7.41%	+2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.47%	9.63%	+5.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.88%	12.92%	+6.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.65%	12.92%	+6.73%

SPYC vs. SPYI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYC has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than SPYI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYC vs. SPYI - Dividend Comparison

SPYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than SPYI's 11.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPYC Simplify US Equity PLUS Convexity ETF	0.87%	0.89%	1.02%	1.76%	1.34%	1.01%	0.40%
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	11.64%	11.70%	12.04%	12.01%	4.10%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYC and SPYI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SPYC and SPYI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPYC or SPYI?

SPYC has higher volatility (3.73%) compared to SPYI (1.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYC dropped -28.51% vs SPYI's -16.47%.

Which ETF is better, SPYC or SPYI?

On 3-year performance, SPYC leads with 19.24% vs 16.41% for SPYI. On fees, SPYC is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, SPYI has been the lower-risk option at 1.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYC or SPYI?

Over the 3-year period, SPYC has performed better with a 19.24% return vs 16.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYC or SPYI?

SPYC is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for SPYI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPYC or SPYI?

SPYI has the higher dividend yield at 11.64%, compared with 0.87% for SPYC.

What is the main difference between SPYC and SPYI?

SPYC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPYI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for SPYC and 0.68% for SPYI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.07), 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.