SSUS vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SSUS (Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SSUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Donald L. Hagan LLC, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. SSUS is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SSUS returned 11.91%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SSUS charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SSUS vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) 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, SSUS achieves a 14.61% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

SSUS

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 7.35%
• YTD: 14.61%
• 6M: 14.65%
• 1Y: 29.88%
• 3Y*: 18.55%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: —

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)

SSUS vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SSUS Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF	14.61%	16.47%	18.86%	18.19%	-17.64%	28.02%	17.44%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	14.73%

Correlation

The correlation between SSUS and SPY is 0.98 - 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	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2020	0.97

The correlation between SSUS and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

SSUS vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSUS	SPY
Technology	45.5%	35.9%
Communication Services	17.2%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	10.3%
Industrials	6.5%	7.8%
Financial Services	5.5%	11.8%
Healthcare	4.4%	8.4%
Real Estate	3.8%	1.9%
Utilities	3.7%	2.4%
Energy	2.8%	3.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.8%
Basic Materials	1.6%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SSUS vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSUS

SSUS Risk / Return Rank: 74
SSUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
SSUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SSUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SSUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SSUS Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SSUS vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) 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.

	SSUS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.38	+0.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.35	3.24	+0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	3.16	+0.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.41	14.72	+0.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSUS vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSUS 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

	SSUS	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.38	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.82	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.59	+0.26

Drawdowns

SSUS vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSUS drawdown since its inception was -23.75%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSUS and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSUS	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.75%	-55.19%	+31.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.05%	-8.88%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.60%	-18.76%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.45%	-24.50%	+1.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.70%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-9.05%	+3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.91%	+0.03%

Volatility

SSUS vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF (SSUS) has a higher volatility of 3.45% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that SSUS'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

	SSUS	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	2.84%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.51%	8.90%	+0.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.23%	11.83%	+0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	17.05%	-1.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.86%	17.94%	-1.08%

SSUS vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSUS has a 0.81% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSUS vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SSUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less 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%
SSUS Day Hagan/Ned Davis Research Smart Sector ETF	0.45%	0.52%	0.68%	1.07%	0.63%	0.55%	0.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSUS and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, SSUS 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, SSUS or SPY?

SSUS has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSUS dropped -23.75% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SSUS or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 11.91% for SSUS. 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, SSUS or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 11.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSUS or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.81% for SSUS.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.45% for SSUS.

What is the main difference between SSUS and SPY?

SSUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Donald L. Hagan LLC and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.81% for SSUS and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.38), 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.