SSDOX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SSDOX (State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - SSDOX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by State Street, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, SSDOX returned 11.23%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SSDOX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SSDOX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund (SSDOX) 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, SSDOX achieves a 11.81% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, SSDOX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 11.23%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.53% annualized return.

SSDOX

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 11.81%
• 6M: 11.46%
• 1Y: 27.33%
• 3Y*: 17.38%
• 5Y*: 8.93%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

SSDOX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSDOX State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund	11.81%	21.02%	12.37%	19.35%	-19.27%	13.32%	19.62%	25.62%	-7.91%	19.22%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SSDOX and SPY is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2014	0.92

The correlation between SSDOX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SSDOX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSDOX

SSDOX Risk / Return Rank: 69
SSDOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SSDOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SSDOX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SSDOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SSDOX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

SSDOX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund (SSDOX) 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.

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.

	SSDOX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	1.90	+0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.58	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	2.67	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.60	11.92	+0.68

SSDOX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSDOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSDOX 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.

Drawdowns

SSDOX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSDOX drawdown since its inception was -29.85%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSDOX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSDOX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.85%	-55.19%	+25.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-8.88%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.04%	-18.76%	+3.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.44%	-24.50%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.85%	-33.72%	+3.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-3.17%	+2.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-9.04%	+4.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	1.98%	+0.15%

Volatility

SSDOX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund (SSDOX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.86% and 4.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSDOX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.86%	4.87%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.94%	9.85%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	12.50%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.37%	17.15%	-2.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.87%	17.95%	-3.08%

SSDOX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSDOX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SSDOX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SSDOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
SSDOX State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund	4.34%	4.85%	4.45%	2.99%	4.97%	4.39%	3.03%	6.02%	5.38%	0.44%	1.71%	2.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSDOX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SSDOX and SPY 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, SSDOX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to SSDOX (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSDOX dropped -29.85% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSDOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.90), 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.