TOTL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TOTL (State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TOTL is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by State Street, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. TOTL is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TOTL returned 1.65%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for SPY. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TOTL charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

TOTL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF (TOTL) 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, TOTL achieves a -0.26% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.33% return. Over the past 10 years, TOTL has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 1.65%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.48% annualized return.

TOTL

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: -0.26%
• 6M: -0.05%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 0.64%
• 10Y*: 1.65%

SPY

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 4.60%
• YTD: 11.33%
• 6M: 11.25%
• 1Y: 28.50%
• 3Y*: 22.58%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

TOTL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF	-0.26%	7.68%	3.15%	5.55%	-11.59%	-1.00%	3.56%	6.93%	0.76%	3.55%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.33%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between TOTL and SPY is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 2015	0.02

Over the past year, TOTL and SPY have become more correlated (0.30) than their long-term average of 0.02, meaning their price movements have been converging.

TOTL vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TOTL	SPY
Energy	100.0%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

TOTL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOTL

TOTL Risk / Return Rank: 33
TOTL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
TOTL Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
TOTL Omega Ratio Rank: 35
TOTL Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TOTL Martin Ratio Rank: 30

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 74
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

TOTL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF (TOTL) 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.

	TOTL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.42	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	3.29	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.44	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	3.22	-1.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.37	14.99	-10.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TOTL vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOTL Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOTL 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

	TOTL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.42	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.82	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35	0.87	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.59	-0.21

Drawdowns

TOTL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOTL drawdown since its inception was -16.48%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOTL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOTL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.48%	-55.19%	+38.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.04%	-8.88%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.60%	-18.76%	+12.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.48%	-24.50%	+8.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.48%	-33.72%	+17.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-0.33%	-1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.13%	-9.05%	+5.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	1.91%	-0.92%

Volatility

TOTL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF (TOTL) is 1.17%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.79%. This indicates that TOTL 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

	TOTL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.17%	2.79%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.45%	8.91%	-6.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	11.82%	-8.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.59%	17.05%	-11.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.78%	17.93%	-13.15%

TOTL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOTL has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOTL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

TOTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.29%, 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%
TOTL State Street DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF	5.29%	5.23%	5.35%	4.85%	4.68%	3.07%	2.91%	3.31%	3.41%	3.00%	3.25%	2.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOTL and SPY in my portfolio?

TOTL and SPY have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TOTL or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.79%) compared to TOTL (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOTL dropped -16.48% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, TOTL or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.48% vs 1.65% for TOTL. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, TOTL has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TOTL or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.48% return vs 1.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TOTL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for TOTL.

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

TOTL has the higher dividend yield at 5.29%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between TOTL and SPY?

TOTL is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while SPY is S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for TOTL and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.27), 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.