T vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 1.52%/yr vs 15.23%/yr for SPY. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) 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, T achieves a -13.21% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.23% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 1.52%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.23% annualized return.

T

• 1D: 2.48%
• 1M: -7.30%
• 6M: -11.42%
• YTD: -13.21%
• 1Y: -22.53%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 5.46%
• 10Y*: 1.52%

SPY

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 1.64%
• 6M: 8.65%
• YTD: 10.23%
• 1Y: 21.80%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 13.17%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

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

T vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-13.21%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.23%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between T and SPY is -0.20, 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	-0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.44

The correlation between T and SPY shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

T vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 7
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
T Omega Ratio Rank: 10
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
T Martin Ratio Rank: 2

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

T vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) 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.

	T	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.96	1.75	-2.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.30	2.41	-3.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.85	1.32	-0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	2.46	-3.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.86	10.76	-12.63

T vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.96, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T 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

T vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-55.19%	-8.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.89%	-8.88%	-20.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.89%	-18.76%	-10.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-24.50%	-7.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-33.72%	-8.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.77%	-1.31%	-25.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.73%	-9.03%	-6.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.11%	2.03%	+10.08%

Volatility

T vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 9.93% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 5.20%. This indicates that T'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

	T	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.93%	5.20%	+4.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.76%	9.97%	+9.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.44%	12.56%	+10.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.34%	17.17%	+7.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.89%	17.93%	+5.96%

Dividends

T vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.26%, more 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%
T AT&T Inc.	5.26%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and SPY in my portfolio?

T and SPY have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or SPY?

T has higher volatility (9.93%) compared to SPY (5.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.96), 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.