STSEX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

STSEX (BlackRock Exchange Portfolio) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - STSEX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, STSEX returned 13.28%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STSEX charges 0.81%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

STSEX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Exchange Portfolio (STSEX) 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, STSEX achieves a -3.48% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, STSEX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 13.28%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

STSEX

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: -2.62%
• YTD: -3.48%
• 6M: -4.05%
• 1Y: 6.03%
• 3Y*: 12.59%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

STSEX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STSEX BlackRock Exchange Portfolio	-3.48%	19.42%	16.06%	20.71%	-5.51%	31.09%	9.30%	28.62%	-2.95%	15.24%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between STSEX and SPY is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between STSEX and SPY has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

STSEX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

STSEX

STSEX Risk / Return Rank: 8
STSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
STSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
STSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
STSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
STSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

STSEX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Exchange Portfolio (STSEX) 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.

	STSEX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	2.16	-1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	2.91	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.39	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	3.01	-2.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	13.54	-11.41

STSEX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STSEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STSEX 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

STSEX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STSEX drawdown since its inception was -49.89%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STSEX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	STSEX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.89%	-55.19%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.61%	-8.88%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.40%	-18.76%	+7.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.57%	-24.50%	+4.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.28%	-33.72%	+2.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.99%	-1.75%	-3.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-9.04%	+1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	1.97%	+0.85%

Volatility

STSEX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Exchange Portfolio (STSEX) is 3.54%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that STSEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STSEX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	4.64%	-1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.02%	9.75%	-1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.25%	12.43%	-2.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.37%	17.14%	-2.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.72%	17.99%	-1.27%

STSEX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

STSEX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

STSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
STSEX BlackRock Exchange Portfolio	0.94%	0.90%	0.93%	1.07%	1.22%	1.01%	1.33%	1.40%	1.73%	1.67%	1.95%	1.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STSEX and SPY in my portfolio?

STSEX and SPY have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STSEX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to STSEX (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STSEX dropped -49.89% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.58), 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.