WMG vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WMG (Warner Music Group Corp.) 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 5 years, WMG returned -1.48%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WMG vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) 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, WMG achieves a -2.92% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

WMG

• 1D: -4.48%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: -2.92%
• 6M: 6.87%
• 1Y: 16.33%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: -1.48%
• 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)

WMG vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
WMG Warner Music Group Corp.	-2.92%	1.36%	-11.48%	4.44%	-17.21%	15.31%	27.16%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	21.29%

Correlation

The correlation between WMG and SPY is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2020	0.36

The correlation between WMG and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (1 year) to 0.38 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WMG vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

WMG

WMG Risk / Return Rank: 54
WMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
WMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
WMG Omega Ratio Rank: 51
WMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
WMG Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

WMG vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) 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.

	WMG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.53	2.38	-1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.93	3.24	-2.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.43	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.55	3.16	-2.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.38	14.72	-13.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WMG vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WMG Sharpe Ratio is 0.53, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WMG 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

	WMG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53	2.38	-1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04	0.82	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	0.59	-0.54

Drawdowns

WMG vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WMG drawdown since its inception was -54.04%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WMG and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	WMG	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.04%	-55.19%	+1.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.04%	-8.88%	-21.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.06%	-18.76%	-14.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.04%	-24.50%	-29.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.11%	-0.70%	-33.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.01%	-9.05%	-17.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.90%	1.91%	+9.99%

Volatility

WMG vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) has a higher volatility of 13.87% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that WMG'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

	WMG	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.87%	2.84%	+11.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.71%	8.90%	+16.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.12%	11.83%	+19.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.74%	17.05%	+17.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.94%	17.94%	+17.00%

Dividends

WMG vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

WMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, 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%
WMG Warner Music Group Corp.	2.58%	2.41%	2.26%	1.84%	1.77%	1.25%	0.63%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WMG and SPY in my portfolio?

WMG and SPY have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WMG or SPY?

WMG has higher volatility (13.87%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WMG dropped -54.04% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.53), 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.