XAIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XAIX (Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XAIX is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XAIX returned 62.69% vs 26.65% for SPY. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XAIX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

XAIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) 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, XAIX achieves a 37.44% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

XAIX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 9.09%
• YTD: 37.44%
• 6M: 37.80%
• 1Y: 62.69%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

XAIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	37.44%	29.05%	15.21%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between XAIX and SPY is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 2, 2024	0.88

The correlation between XAIX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

XAIX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XAIX	SPY
Technology	71.7%	39.0%
Communication Services	14.1%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	9.9%
Financial Services	5.2%	11.1%
Industrials	0.1%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	4.5%
Healthcare	0.0%	8.3%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.7%
Energy	0.0%	3.1%
Utilities	0.0%	2.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

XAIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAIX

XAIX Risk / Return Rank: 82
XAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
XAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
XAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
XAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

XAIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) 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.

	XAIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	2.16	+0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	2.91	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.39	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.50	3.01	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.22	13.54	+1.68

XAIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAIX 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

XAIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAIX drawdown since its inception was -23.95%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.95%	-55.19%	+31.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.01%	-8.88%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.23%	-1.75%	-1.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-9.04%	+5.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.13%	1.97%	+2.16%

Volatility

XAIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF (XAIX) has a higher volatility of 13.24% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that XAIX'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

	XAIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.24%	4.64%	+8.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.53%	9.75%	+10.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.53%	12.43%	+11.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.45%	17.14%	+7.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.45%	17.99%	+6.46%

XAIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAIX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

XAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, 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%
XAIX Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF	0.37%	0.54%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAIX and SPY in my portfolio?

XAIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAIX or SPY?

XAIX has higher volatility (13.24%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAIX dropped -23.95% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, XAIX or SPY?

On 1-year performance, XAIX leads with 62.69% vs 26.65% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XAIX or SPY?

Over the 1-year period, XAIX has performed better with a 62.69% return vs 26.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAIX or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XAIX.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.37% for XAIX.

What is the main difference between XAIX and SPY?

XAIX is categorized as Technology Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. XAIX tracks Nasdaq Global Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAIX and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.16), 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.