SPYT vs. SPYI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF) and SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SPYT returned 22.32% vs 21.49% for SPYI. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPYT charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for SPYI.

Performance

SPYT vs. SPYI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYT achieves a 8.64% return, which is significantly higher than SPYI's 6.95% return.

SPYT

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 8.64%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 22.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPYI

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: 6.95%
• 6M: 6.74%
• 1Y: 21.49%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPYT vs. SPYI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	8.64%	12.41%	13.30%
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	6.95%	16.67%	13.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYT and SPYI is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.94

The correlation between SPYT and SPYI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPYT vs. SPYI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYT	SPYI
Technology	38.4%	39.1%
Financial Services	11.0%	11.1%
Communication Services	10.8%	10.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	9.9%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.3%
Industrials	7.9%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.5%
Energy	3.2%	3.1%
Utilities	2.1%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.7%

Return for Risk

SPYT vs. SPYI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYT

SPYT Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SPYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPYT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SPYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPYT Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SPYI

SPYI Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPYI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SPYI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPYI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SPYI Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPYI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SPYT vs. SPYI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) 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.

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.

	SPYT	SPYI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.11	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.86	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.41	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	2.80	0.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.52	14.03	-1.51

SPYT vs. SPYI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYT Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the SPYI Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYT 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.

Drawdowns

SPYT vs. SPYI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYT drawdown since its inception was -18.25%, which is greater than SPYI's maximum drawdown of -16.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYT and SPYI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYT	SPYI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.25%	-16.47%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-7.72%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.47%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.63%	-1.21%	-0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-1.81%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	1.54%	+0.25%

Volatility

SPYT vs. SPYI - Volatility Comparison

Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) at 4.06%. This indicates that SPYT'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

	SPYT	SPYI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	4.06%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.15%	8.23%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.45%	10.27%	+1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.89%	13.01%	+1.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.89%	13.01%	+1.88%

SPYT vs. SPYI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYT has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYT vs. SPYI - Dividend Comparison

SPYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.93%, more than SPYI's 12.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	12.85%	11.70%	12.04%	12.01%	4.10%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	20.93%	21.40%	17.37%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYT and SPYI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SPYT 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, SPYT or SPYI?

SPYT has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to SPYI (4.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYT dropped -18.25% vs SPYI's -16.47%.

Which ETF is better, SPYT or SPYI?

On 1-year performance, SPYT leads with 22.32% vs 21.49% for SPYI. On fees, SPYI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, SPYI has been the lower-risk option at 4.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYT or SPYI?

Over the 1-year period, SPYT has performed better with a 22.32% return vs 21.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYT or SPYI?

SPYI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SPYT.

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

SPYT has the higher dividend yield at 20.93%, compared with 12.85% for SPYI.

What is the main difference between SPYT and SPYI?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SPYT and 0.68% for SPYI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.96), 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.