SPYD vs. CAT

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index, while CAT (Caterpillar Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, SPYD returned 9.09%/yr vs 31.33%/yr for CAT. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

SPYD vs. CAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYD achieves a 14.73% return, which is significantly lower than CAT's 59.62% return. Over the past 10 years, SPYD has underperformed CAT with an annualized return of 9.09%, while CAT has yielded a comparatively higher 31.33% annualized return.

SPYD

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 5.32%
• YTD: 14.73%
• 6M: 14.21%
• 1Y: 20.93%
• 3Y*: 14.69%
• 5Y*: 7.64%
• 10Y*: 9.09%

CAT

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: -1.05%
• YTD: 59.62%
• 6M: 52.94%
• 1Y: 157.79%
• 3Y*: 57.16%
• 5Y*: 35.17%
• 10Y*: 31.33%

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

SPYD vs. CAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	14.73%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	59.62%	60.30%	24.66%	25.95%	18.60%	15.95%	26.97%	19.51%	-17.56%	75.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYD and CAT is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2015	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between SPYD and CAT has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

SPYD vs. CAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 58
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 52
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 54

CAT

CAT Risk / Return Rank: 98
CAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
CAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

SPYD vs. CAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) and Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). 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.

	SPYD	CAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	4.43	-2.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	5.03	-2.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.65	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	11.24	-8.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.14	36.80	-28.65

SPYD vs. CAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYD Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the CAT Sharpe Ratio of 4.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYD and CAT, 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

SPYD vs. CAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYD drawdown since its inception was -46.42%, smaller than the maximum CAT drawdown of -73.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYD and CAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYD	CAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.42%	-73.43%	+27.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-13.88%	+6.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-34.05%	+17.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.25%	-34.05%	+11.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.42%	-43.36%	-3.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.18%	+3.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.15%	-19.73%	+13.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	4.23%	-1.81%

Volatility

SPYD vs. CAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) is 2.92%, while Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a volatility of 13.16%. This indicates that SPYD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYD	CAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.92%	13.16%	-10.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.74%	28.37%	-20.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.70%	35.19%	-23.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	30.79%	-14.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	30.98%	-11.20%

Dividends

SPYD vs. CAT - Dividend Comparison

SPYD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.05%, more than CAT's 0.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	0.66%	1.02%	1.49%	1.69%	1.93%	2.07%	2.26%	2.56%	2.58%	1.97%	3.32%	4.33%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.05%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYD and CAT in my portfolio?

SPYD and CAT have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYD or CAT?

CAT has higher volatility (13.16%) compared to SPYD (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYD dropped -46.42% vs CAT's -73.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 1.69), 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.