SRS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SRS (ProShares UltraShort Real Estate) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SRS is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index (-200%), while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SRS returned -16.52%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. At a correlation of -0.67, they often move in opposite directions. SRS charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SRS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Real Estate (SRS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SRS achieves a -14.05% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SRS has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of -16.52%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

SRS

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.82%
• YTD: -14.05%
• 6M: -12.14%
• 1Y: -9.76%
• 3Y*: -12.75%
• 5Y*: -5.84%
• 10Y*: -16.52%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

SRS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SRS ProShares UltraShort Real Estate	-14.05%	-1.45%	-3.55%	-18.78%	54.68%	-52.22%	-33.05%	-38.97%	6.01%	-18.03%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SRS and SPY is -0.31, 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	-0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	-0.67

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between SRS and SPY has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.67 to -0.31, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

SRS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SRS	SPY
Financial Services	71.8%	11.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

SRS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SRS

SRS Risk / Return Rank: 5
SRS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
SRS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
SRS Omega Ratio Rank: 5
SRS Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
SRS Martin Ratio Rank: 4

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

SRS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Real Estate (SRS) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	SRS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.36	2.38	-2.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.36	3.24	-3.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.43	-0.47
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.48	3.16	-3.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.08	14.72	-15.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SRS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SRS Sharpe Ratio is -0.36, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SRS and SPY, 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

	SRS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.36	2.38	-2.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.16	0.82	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.41	0.87	-1.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.50	0.59	-1.08

Drawdowns

SRS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SRS drawdown since its inception was -99.96%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SRS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SRS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.96%	-55.19%	-44.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.53%	-8.88%	-11.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.56%	-18.76%	-32.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.56%	-24.50%	-27.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-85.82%	-33.72%	-52.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.96%	-0.70%	-99.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-91.23%	-9.05%	-82.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.08%	1.91%	+7.17%

Volatility

SRS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraShort Real Estate (SRS) has a higher volatility of 7.58% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that SRS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SRS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.58%	2.84%	+4.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.34%	8.90%	+10.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.06%	11.83%	+15.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.58%	17.05%	+20.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	40.67%	17.94%	+22.73%

SRS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SRS has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SRS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SRS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.67%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
SRS ProShares UltraShort Real Estate	3.67%	3.61%	6.06%	4.49%	0.30%	0.00%	0.19%	1.80%	0.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SRS and SPY in my portfolio?

SRS and SPY have a correlation of -0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SRS or SPY?

SRS has higher volatility (7.58%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SRS dropped -99.96% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SRS or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs -16.52% for SRS. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SRS or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs -16.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SRS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SRS.

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

SRS has the higher dividend yield at 3.67%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SRS and SPY?

SRS is categorized as REIT, while SPY is S&P 500. SRS tracks Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index (-200%), while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SRS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs -0.36), 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.